The Los Angeles Chargers must use this offseason to replenish their depth in the trenches. With a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, it will be their play in these areas of the field that ultimately determine their ceiling.
Their first priority must be re-shaping the interior of their offensive line. Zion Johnson is a free agent, and they must find replacements for Mekhi Becton and Bradley Bozeman at right guard and center.
Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack are also free agents. Although the ideal scenario is to bring both of them back, there is always the brutal reality that at least one of them could depart in free agency.
Therefore, the Teair Tart extension provides the only real certainty they have in these portions of the roster currently.
If NFL.com's recent three-round mock draft drawn up by draft analyst Chad Reuter, Los Angeles wastes no time addressing these issues. Let's take a look at their selections.
Chargers take on the trenches in tantalizing 2026 Mock Draft
Round 1, 28th overall: Chase Bisontis, OG
In the first round, Reuter set up a mock trade between the Chargers and the Houston Texans. Los Angeles moves back six selections in the first round in exchange for two fourth-round picks. But they still get an impactful guard in Bisontis.
Many mock drafts have linked Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane to the Chargers in the first-round draft slot. Although Bisontis's relatively light frame could impact his ceiling as an NFL level guard, his light-footedness and agility is certainly appealing.
If Ioane comes off the board early, as Reuter as him doing at 17th overall, Bisontis could be a solid option.
Round 2, 55th overall: Cashius Howell, EDGE
This would be an absolute dream of a second-round selection for the Chargers. Howell was an integral piece in a formidable Texas A&M defense in 2025, posting 11.5 sacks, 31 combined tackles, and 14 tackles for loss through 13 games.
He's a flexible pass rusher with the burst to get around his man and the versatility to bring down the quarterback in a variety of ways. With Oweh and Mack's free agencies this offseason, it would be reasonable to see Los Angeles bring in additional depth at the position here.
Round 3, 86th overall: Isaiah World, OT
The Chargers are relatively set at tackle in 2026 with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater returning. Yet there are questions lingering around their injuries, and it was ultimately their depth at the position that sunk them in 2025.
Bringing in World, who was a four-year starter at Oregon, would make perfect sense in the third round. He's a developmental piece whose footwork needs serious improvement, but he has the frame and the consistency as a pass protector to remain at tackle long-term.
Nabbing him at this draft slot could complete a clean sweep for Los Angeles of the first three rounds of the draft.