The Los Angeles Chargers have glaring needs on offense this offseason. But whether it feels like it or not, they've gone a long way towards addressing those with some of their external signings.
The focus, outside of adding another starting-caliber offensive guard to the mix, must now rest on the defense. Jesse Minter departed to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, and the possibility for regression in his absence must be accounted for. His ability to elevate talent, especially in the secondary, is almost unmatched across the NFL.
New defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary will do his best. He's well-poised to replicate Minter's zone-heavy scheme given his experience under Minter at both the college and the NFL level. But if Los Angeles wants to ensure their defensive dominance continues, they will need to furnish O'Leary with all of the tools they can.
ESPN's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, drawn up by Matt Miller, has them doing exactly that. Out of their five selections in the draft, Miller has them using four on defensive pieces.
It might seem unrealistic. But it could be what's needed to replenish the Chargers' depth on that side of the ball.
A defense-heavy draft could be in the cards for the Chargers
Miller's latest mock draft is certainly a behemoth, so let's lay out the Chargers selections here for ease of access:
22nd Overall: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
55th Overall: Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
86th Overall: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
123rd Overall: Jeremiah Wright, G, Auburn
204th Overall: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
Addressing the defensive line in the first round is a tantalizing opportunity, especially if Olaivavega Ioane is off the board. But going for both an edge rusher and a defensive tackle in the first two rounds would be a major gamble considering the Chargers' clear need for a starting-caliber guard.
Howell and Harris would be a formidable combo, however. Howell posted 11.5 sacks through 13 games last season at Texas A&M. Although there are concerns about his arm length, his production indicates he can be an impact player at the NFL level. Harris, meanwhile, is a formidable physical presence on the interior. He could quickly prove to be the run-stopper the Chargers need in order to finalize their interior defensive line.
Igbinosun, meanwhile, would fill the hole left by the departure of Benjamin St-Juste in free agency. He's a capable and physical corner in press coverage, but he needs to improve some of his reads to operate effectively when he's off his man.
If you can't tell, the theme here is physicality. Wisniewski, who would be an excellent Day 3 pickup if the Chargers can get him, would bring the same to the secondary.
But waiting until the fourth round to draft a guard, especially a developmental prospect with shaky fundamentals like Wright, would be a major gamble on the abilities of Cole Strange and Trevor Penning to hold the offensive line together. It's likely one the Chargers can't afford to take.
This sort of draft, while realistic, may only ultimately be a defensive pipe-dream.