The Los Angeles Chargers have a number of needs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, but none is clearer than their need for offensive line help.
They signed Tyler Biadasz this offseason to replace Bradley Bozeman, and that should be a major upgrade at that position. They've also added blocking tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback Alec Ingold, both of whom should be major boons to their protection.
But as of now, there are severe questions lingering around the viability of that room. Both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater will be returning from serious injuries. Los Angeles must hope that both players can quickly return to form in 2026.
The more pressing need, however, lies in the current construction of their guard depth. As it stands, both Trevor Penning and Cole Strange are slated as starters, with players such as Kayode Awosika and Branson Taylor making up their current depth pieces. This situation must change between now and the start of the season.
Many analysts have the Chargers slated to nab a guard in the first round of the draft (or at least to trade back and grab one on Day 2). Lou Scataglia, in NFL SpinZone's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, has the Chargers taking a different route, however, selecting offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah at 22nd overall.
The Chargers need tackle depth, but they must carefully determine how they want to use their draft capital
Since essentially the start of the offseason, the Chargers have been slated to target Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State in the first round. He's the premier guard in this draft class.
But there are a number of teams selecting above Los Angeles who could nab him. Scataglia has the Baltimore Ravens taking Ioane off the board at 14th overall. If that happens, almost anything is on the table for the Chargers.
Per Lance Zierlein's scouting report for NFL.com, Lomu would largely be a developmental piece. He projects to stick at tackle in the long-term, but he needs to improve his play strength to complement the clear agility and fundamental solidness he showed on the outside at the college level.
By the end of last season, the Chargers had used a dizzying amount of players at their two tackle spots, digging deep into their depth chart in response to the injury woes they faced. As of now, Trey Pipkins III is their swing tackle. Per Pro Football Focus, he was the sixth-worst tackle among all qualified players at the position in overall protection grade.
Perhaps it would be smart, therefore, for Los Angeles to develop a more viable piece, especially if there are concerns about either Slater or Alt's long-term injury outlook. But Los Angeles has just five picks in this upcoming draft, and using their first-round selection on a player who is not projected to kick inside to guard would be a bold choice to say the least.