Trading back has been a fundamental part of most Chargers mock drafts this season. I did it in my first two mock drafts. On paper, it makes sense. Los Angeles only has five picks to use this year. Doubling back by trading down in the first or second round makes sense.
It gives the Chargers a legitimate chance to have a six or seven-man draft class. Daniel Jeremiah talked about LA practically begging for a trade down.
But what if they can't find the right deal? The Chargers chose Omarion Hampton last year in the first round after trade talks with the Eagles broke down. GM Joe Hortiz still hasn't traded down in his first two drafts, even if it does make more sense this year.
I've given myself a challenge to try to put together a solid five-man draft class without adding any picks or making trades. Without any further ado, here's Chargers 2026 Mock 3.0:
Alex Insdorf's Chargers 2026 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Round 1, Pick 22: Texas A&M LG Chase Bisontis
One possible mock positional scenario that's been played around with amongst Chargers fans is EDGE round one, OG round two. I did a similar setup in my last mock when I took Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker round one and then Keylan Rutledge in a trade back.
But there's starting to be loud noise and rumblings from draft media at large that Los Angeles may not be able to wait for round two at guard. Many NFL draft analysts believe Chase Bisontis could sneak into round one. ESPN's Peter Schrager went as far to put Rutledge in round one of his latest mock draft.
It is starting to feel like there will be a run on guards if the Chargers don't take one at 22. Without trading back, the need to secure guard here is pretty strong. The probability of sitting at #55 without Bisontis, Emmanuel Pregnon, or Rutledge on the board seems to be increasing.
There will be fans of Pregnon and other guards in the first round. My personal favorite is Bisontis. He's the best scheme fit for Mike McDaniel's zone-based offense. He allowed just one sack and 12 pressures in 13 games for the Aggies last season.
Bisontis has great movement skills and makes up for a lack of raw power with great hand placement and technique. While he's not the strongest run blocker in the class relative to someone like Olaivavega Ioane, there's an argument he may be the best pass protector.
I also think the Texas A&M product takes better angles in the run game than he's given credit for. He's not an Ioane-level run mauler, but the difference on tape wasn't too significant to me either.
Trading back for Bisontis is ideal. But in a scenario where I can't, I'm comfortable taking him at #22. If the Chargers pass on guard in round one, it's very possible the top guards in the class disappear before #55.
With Ioane off the board, take the best pass-protecting guard and we'll figure out EDGE in round two. With how free agency has played out, the Chargers can't afford to be left without a true tier one/two guard prospect from this class.
Round 2, Pick 55: Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas
Pick the positions in whichever order you want. But the first two positions selected for the Bolts right now feel like they have to be EDGE and OG. After taking Bisontis in the first, I went with Gabe Jacas in the second.
The Chargers held an extensive 30 visit with Jacas. ESPN's Matt Miller also connected the two parties as a possible fit in the second round.
Jacas is a true do it all edge setter. He defends the run with great motor. Over the last two seasons at Illinois, he put up 85 pressures and and 19 sacks.
There's different archetypes the Chargers can pursue at EDGE in this draft. With Malachi Lawrence or R Mason Thomas, there are the DPR speedster types. Perhaps the Chargers could take one to replace Odafe Oweh. But I also think the best available EDGE on the board here is the eventual Khalil Mack replacement. It's also not necessarily a lock that the Chargers are able to extend Tuli Tuipulotu.
Jacas is ready for any role in a rotation right now and can eventually become a starter at EDGE depending on how future Chargers offseasons play out.
The effort on tape and understanding of pass rush moves make him an instant 2026 contributor on the Bolts' defense.
Round 3, Pick 86: Missouri DT Chris McClellan
Once the Chargers address EDGE and guard, there's plenty of different ways they can go on the board. Could they look for a Mike McDaniel offensive weapon? Double up at guard?
I decided to continue building out the defensive line. Missouri's Chris McClellan is exactly the kind of defensive tackle presence the Chargers need. Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell can rush the passer well, but they're truly very athletic nose tackles. Free agency signing Dalvin Tomlinson also fits more of the 0, 1 tech mold.
Getting a pass -rushing 3-tech at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft would complement the room well. McClellan had his best pass-rushing season yet with six sacks and 21 pressures. McClellan also had 27 run stops and missed just three tackles last year. His long 34-inch arms and 11-inch hands also help him stand tall in the run game, specifically.
In the NFL, he's probably more of a true 3 tech than a nose. But he has the versatility as a strong point of attack player in pass rushing or run stopping.
Round 4, Pick 123: Iowa LG Beau Stephens
I promise that going into the exercise that I didn't set out to go full trench mode. But that's kind of how the board fell. The Chargers didn't do enough in free agency at the guard spot. Either Trevor Penning or Cole Strange would have a locked-in starter spot even if they drafted Bisontis early. Bring in a guy who could potentially start and give them some competition. That would be Iowa's Beau Stephens in round four.
Stephens isn't quite the athlete that someone like his teammate Gennings Dunker is. It's probably why he'll go a bit later compared to the other Iowa linemen. But he played in a true zone-blocking sceme at Iowa and didn't allow a sack in his last three seasons. He gave up just four pressures in 2025.
He has solid movement instincts in the run game and more natural pass protection feel relative to some of the day three offensive line options.
Stephens can also coexist with Bisontis on the offensive line. He played both right guard and left guard at Iowa.
At some point, the Chargers need affordable offensive line talent as they pay Rashawn Slater, Tyler Biadasz, and eventually Joe Alt big money. It's not an absolute necessity to come away with two guards in five picks, but the thought process is understandable for the right players.
Round 6, Pick 204: Houston TE Tanner Koziol
Tanner Koziol is my favorite prospect amongst the late day three tight end tier. After the Chargers prioritized blocking in free agency with Alec Ingold and Charlie Kolar, they can get another pass-catching tight end to pair with Oronde Gadsden II.
Koziol had six touchdowns and 727 yards this year in his final collegiate season. Like Gadsden last draft, Koziol boasts a huge catch radius and is a dominant ball winner in contested catch situations. He also has a decent route tree and runs a mean out route.
The blocking needs work, but Houston wasn't afraid to put Koziol out there in blocking scenarios last season. He put on 25 pounds over the last year to add to his bigger-than-6'6" frame and can continue developing as a blocker in the pros.
Even if the Chargers don't take a tight end, I expect them to maybe sign a true move TE like a Darren Waller or Jonnu Smith. A receiving target that Mike McDaniel can utilize in the sixth round is a good idea after the Chargers addressed the blocking situation.
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