Like any team, the Los Angeles Chargers have a set of players they've been clearly tied to throughout the pre-draft process.
With their glaring need for a starting-caliber offensive guard, they've been steadily linked to the best guard in the class: Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State. But it's seeming more and more likely he won't be available when the Chargers select at 22nd overall. If he's off the board, they've also been tied to players who could help their depleted defensive line. Defensive tackles like Caleb Banks out of Florida and pass rushers like T.J. Parker out of Clemson have been routine selections in mock drafts.
But both Harbaugh and Hortiz are both known for seeking out specific archetypes. It's entirely possible they come out on draft night and surprise all of us.
In ESPN's latest 3-round mock draft, drawn up by the outlet's heralded NFL Draft team, the Chargers take a trio of players at three positions of immediate need: edge rusher, offensive guard, and cornerback.
22nd Overall: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
55th Overall: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
86th Overall: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
These are all reasonable selections. But they each represent an under-the-radar prospect at their respective draft positions, and the mock could serve as an intriguing preview of what route Hortiz may take on draft night.
Chargers have multiple routes to a valuable 2026 NFL Draft
It's difficult to find anything surprising in mock drafts at this time of year. As we get closer to the draft, things will undoubtedly crystallize and projections will change. But most team needs and prospect links have already been discussed at length.
Hortiz, however, has proved himself to be adept at finding value in his draft classes. Hopefully, his third go at it can be just as impressive.
Someone like Keldric Faulk, despite his deficits as a run defender and lack of production in his final college season, would be an excellent first-round selection. He has the frame, physicality, and intensity to be a versatile defensive line piece at the NFL level. Although the Chargers also have a clear need on the interior, perhaps using their first-round pick to grab a premium athlete like Faulk would be the right choice.
Jalen Farmer for Los Angeles in the second round is, while not a name that's been completely ignored, an under-the-radar selection. A two-year starter at Kentucky, Farmer impressed at the combine athletically. He has some improvements to make in pass protection, but his ability to move his feet and work upfield could be appealing for Mike McDaniel's offense.
Malik Muhammad was at one point seen as a potential first-round pick, but his slender frame and sub-par production in 2025 has made him more of a Day 2 prospect. If Los Angeles can somehow nab him at 86th overall, it would perhaps be the biggest steal of the draft for them. Muhammad isn't the tallest player on the field, but he has the arm length and the twitchiness to be a real threat in man coverage. If he gains strength at the next level to be more effective in press situations, he could quickly surpass at least one of the Chargers' outside corners for a starting role.
Faulk, Farmer, and Muhammad are certainly not stylish names in the Chargers' fandom right now. But it's very possible the names that have been bandied about over the past few weeks could go well above Los Angeles' draft range, especially if they trade back out of the first round.
Until they actually make their selections, everything must be on the table.