Every draft is important, but it feels like there is more weight on the 2026 NFL Draft for the LA Chargers. General manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh have done a great job at turning the franchise around, but now the Bolts simply need to take the next step.
Back-to-back first-round playoff losses have left an ugly taste in Chargers fans' mouths. A lack of spending in free agency, despite having the resources to do so, has only made it worse. If the Chargers don't absolutely nail the 2026 NFL Draft, the criticism will come in droves at the first sign of adversity during the 2026 season.
It feels heavy because it is heavy. And for Chargers fans looking for all the information possible, we have you covered.
- Chargers draft snapshot
- Best remaining draft targets
- Updated Chargers depth chart
- Draft pick tracker
- Tracking the AFC West rivals
Chargers draft snapshot
- Current draft capital: Picks No. 22, No. 55, No. 86, No. 123, No. 204
- Primary needs: Guard, Edge rusher, defensive tackle, linebacker, wide receiver
- Latest mock selection: Chase Bisontis
- Last updated: April 20, 6:00 a.m. PT
There are two glowing roster needs for the Chargers heading into the 2026 NFL Draft: offensive guard and edge rusher. Everything else comes secondary, almost making it feel inevitable which direction the Chargers will go in the draft itself.
But that's the beauty of the draft. It might seem like the Chargers are backed into the corner with one direction to go but that might not be the case at all. It all depends on which draft targets all, and who is available when the Bolts are on the clock.
Best remaining draft targets
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Olaivavega Ioane is the No. 1 draft target for the Chargers with a bullet. After a rather frugal free agency period, the Chargers still find themselvs without a viable starting left guard and Ioane would be all that and more.
There's just one problem: Ioane is the best guard in the draft, so the odds of him falling to the No. 22 pick get smaller and smaller by the day. Maybe a miracle is possible and Ioane will somehow slip outside the top 20, and if he does, the Chargers shouldn't think twice in drafting him.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
If the Chargers don't take a guard in the first round of the NFL Draft then the next most likely position is edge rusher. Keldric Faulk may be the most exciting of the potential options available at No. 22, but in reality, it just depends what flavor of edge rusher the Chargers prefer.
The Chargers just need someone who can serve as the third edge rusher behind Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack in the short term, with the long-term goal of potentially replacing Mack. Nothing is guaranteed, but Faulk has the requisite skillset to make that happen.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The other edge-rushing prospect that has been mocked to the Chargers in this range is Clemson's T.J. Parker. There is a real possibility that both Faulk and Parker are on the board when the Chargers are on the clock, which would leave the Bolts with a real decision to make.
Faulk arguably has more long-term upside but Parker has the higher floor. Parker can come into the NFL and make an impact right away, but he may never develop into being a true No. 1 edge rushing option. But do the Chargers even need that? Time will tell.
Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
Chase Bisontis has climbed up the draft ranks the closer we get to April's showcase and the Chargers may be a key reason why. Bisontis was primarily viewed as a second-round talent leading into the draft but because of the desperate need for a guard and there being no other home-run options, Bisontis could go as early as the first to the Chargers.
Ideally, any Bisontis selection would come with a trade down that also nets the Chargers more draft capital. If not, it will be a relatively disappointing draft pick all things considered. Bisontis can be a successful pro, but it would be a shame if the Chargers backed themselves into this corner.
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
A wild-card option is Peter Woods. Defensive tackle is not a primary need for the Bolts as the team can get by with the options they have in that room. That being said, Joe Hortiz loves to take the best-player available, which puts Woods in play for the No. 22 pick.
Woods was once considered a top-10 prospect who has simply fallen in the draft big board. Roster needs be damned, if the Chargers have the chance to add someone who they think is one of the 10 most talented players in this draft class then Hortiz may not be able to help himself.
Updated Chargers depth chart
Offense
- QB: Justin Herbert, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei
- RB: Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal
- FB: Alec Ingold
- WR: Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis
- TE: Oronde Gadsden II, Charlie Kolar, Tanner McLachlan
- OL: Rashawn Slater, Trevor Penning, Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins, Kayode Awosika, Josh Kaltenberger, Ben Cleveland
There are a few thin offensive positions the Chargers could address in both the NFL Draft and in free agency once the draft closes. Offensive line is by far the biggest need for the Bolts heading into the draft as the team needs a starting left guard that isn't Trevor Penning.
Tight end is also a sneaky need for the Chargers as the team doesn't have any reliable NFL talent outside of Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar. Los Angeles could use a late pick in the draft to bolster the room with more talent.
Defense
- IDL: Teair Tart, Dalvin Tomlinson, Justin Eboigbe, Jamaree Caldwell, Scott Matlock, Josh Fuga
- EDGE: Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack, Kyle Kennard, Bud Dupree
- LB: Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Del'Shawn Phillips, Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax
- CB: Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Donte Jackson, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed
- S: Derwin James, Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, R.J. Mickens, Kendall Williamson
The biggest draft need for the Chargers on defense is a third edge rusher who can play alongside Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack with the goal of eventually replacing the latter. Expect the Bolts to pursue that early in the draft.
There's also a real need at cornerback. Having so much versatile safety depth helps the Chargers in that regard, but don't be surprised if the Chargers use a mid-round pick to bolster the cornerback room.
Draft pick tracker
Pick | Player |
|---|---|
22 | TBD |
55 | TBD |
86 | TBD |
123 | TBD |
204 | TBD |
Tracking the AFC West rivals
Denver Broncos:
- Round 2, pick 62
- Round 4, pick 108
- Round 4, pick 111
- Round 5, pick 170
- Round 7, pick 246
- Round 7, pick 256
- Round 7, pick 257
The Denver Broncos have to wait 62 picks until they are on the clock after trading the team's first-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Jaylen Waddle this offseason. While a first-round pick might be a bit expensive for Waddle, he will have a far bigger impact than any receiver the Broncos could have taken at 30.
Las Vegas Raiders:
- Round 1, pick 1
- Round 2, pick 36
- Round 3, pick 67
- Round 4, pick 102
- Round 4, pick 117
- Round 4, pick 134
- Round 5, pick 175
- Round 6, pick 185
- Round 6, pick 208
- Round 7, pick 219
The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to take Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. That is the biggest story of the draft, but the rest of the selections are just as important.
Regardless of what a Raiders fan might tell you, this team still has a lot of missing pieces if it's going to be competitive next season. Hitting a home run in this draft class could accelerate the rebuild. Striking out could lead to more misery.
Kansas City Chiefs:
- Round 1, pick 9
- Round 1, pick 29
- Round 2, pick 40
- Round 3, pick 74
- Round 4, pick 109
- Round 5, pick 148
- Round 5, pick 169
- Round 5, pick 176
- Round 6, pick 210
The Kansas City Chiefs are undergoing a soft reboot of sorts after missing the NFL Playoffs. Patrick Mahomes' status for the 2026 season is still unclear after tearing his ACL, so these picks will likely have the long-term future in mind.
Kansas City traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in a package headlined by the No. 29 pick. The Chiefs will be hard-pressed to land someone as impactful as McDuffie with that pick, but it's not impossible. After all, McDuffie was a late first-round pick himself.
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