The Los Angeles Chargers have certainly addressed the defensive line this offseason. They extended Teair Tart, brought back Khalil Mack, and added Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency.
Tart is a highly disruptive presence in the trenches, and he will be the centerpiece as the Chargers attempt to resurrect their run defense. Tomlinson didn't have an ultra-productive season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. But at 6'3" and 325 lbs, he should at least present a physical presence at nose tackle if they choose to use him there.
In short, there's reason to be optimistic about what Los Angeles has done for their defensive line so far this offseason. In order to be truly confident, however, they likely need to add another piece through the draft.
That could easily come on Day 1. Players like Kayden McDonald and Caleb Banks will be appealing choices when the Chargers are on the clock at 22nd overall.
But there could be an even sneakier selection— one that drops to Day 2 as a result of league perceptions. Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech is almost certainly a Day-1-caliber player, but according to an anonymous AFC scout, his lack of early-season production could have scouts around the league under-valuing him.
If Lee Hunter ultimately falls to Day 2, he could be the perfect target for the Chargers
In a round-up of remarks on various controversial prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft put together by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, an anonymous AFC scout was quoted as saying the following about Hunter:
"He was around 346 pounds and wasn't doing much... If you evaluated him in person in November, you probably loved him. If you scouted him early and then turned in your eval, probably not as much."
Independent of the weight concerns, Hunter had a productive senior season at Texas Tech. Across 14 games, he posted 16 solo tackles, two sacks, and 25 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
That scout's evaluation, moreover, checks out with the numbers. A large portion of Hunter's hurries and pressures came in the back half of the season, when many scouts may have moved onto other prospects.
It's not as though he's been completely abandoned. But it's clear that, as of now, there is a chance Hunter falls to Day 2.
This would make him the perfect selection for Los Angeles, especially if they're able to trade back out of the first round. According to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine's official metrics, Hunter now measures in at 318 lbs. His athleticism metrics weren't great at the Combine (he ran a 5.18-second 40-yard dash), but he looks fluid enough to be an effective run stopper at the next level.
If the Chargers are looking to bring in a young developmental piece to complete that room, Hunter may be the best value proposition in the entire draft.