This offseason, a simple request has rang out nearly unanimously from the Los Angeles Chargers' fanbase — get help along the offensive line.
The Chargers suffered tremendously for their lack of depth last season as a pair of season-ending injuries took away their star tackles and various bumps and bruises hurt the performance of their interior. Both Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton, their starting guards from 2025, are now off the roster.
When Los Angeles was relatively inactive in the early waves of free agency, therefore, it made sense to think guard was a position they'd be targeting in the Draft. Of course, they ultimately did. But not in the way you might expect.
After trading down and landing guard/center Jake Slaughter out of Florida in the late second round, Los Angeles spent their final two selections of the Draft, at 202nd and 206th overall, to grab Logan Taylor out of Boston College and Alex Harkey out of Oregon.
If these picks pan out, they've already solved their depth problem. But even considering the lack of overall talent that was available in the sixth round, it's difficult to see what the exact vision is here.
Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey are fine selections on their own, but their pairing is confusing
When you factor in their selection of offensive tackle Travis Burke at 117th overall, Los Angeles used four of their eight draft picks this year on offensive linemen. For a regime that has historically been hesitant to invest resources on their protection unless absolutely necessary, it's a surprising development.
Taylor spent four years as a starter at the college level, beginning as a tackle and later spending time at both right and left guard upon his move to Boston College. While he doesn't have many flashy physical tools, he has the consistent technique to compete for a backup role at the NFL level.
Harkey, for his part, is a different archetype entirely. He started his final two seasons in college at right tackle, but he will likely kick inside at the NFL level due to his lack of length. He has the athletic tools and the movement skills to project as a capable protector inside, but he's much less of a proven quantity than Taylor.
They'll both compete with Branson Taylor and Kayode Awosika for roster spots in 2026.
Perhaps the Chargers didn't like what was on the board through the rest of the Draft and decided to just stock up at their position of greatest need. But with holes at cornerback and tight end still remaining, it's hard to think that a player like Toriano Pride Jr. or Michael Trigg wouldn't have at least held some intrigue.
At the very least, the Chargers have enough bodies to compete for their guard spots this season. But after four selections devoted to the offensive line, they still don't have a sure-fire solution at left guard.
It makes this final pairing of selections, while justifiable, a decidedly confusing way to round out this draft class.
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