The Los Angeles Chargers weren't as active as many fans would've liked through the initial wave of free agency.
Now, as the draft sits under a month away, the team still has needs along their defensive line. If they want to fill out their depth with what's left on the market, they would be able to do so to some extent. But Joe Hortiz has made his intention to play the compensatory pick formula clear. If there are any more external signings this offseason, they're like to come after the draft.
Heading into the draft, however, with needs to fill at premier positions is a vulnerable stance. It leaves you at a distinct disadvantage, especially when your draft capital is limited.
But with how the free agency market at both defensive tackle and defensive end have been depleted, the Chargers have left themselves with little choice. They will need to add a player at one or both positions through the draft, and it likely will need to come on Day 1 or 2.
The Chargers have left themselves with very little draft-day flexibility at two positions of need
The most prevalent need here is obviously edge rusher. Odafe Oweh departed in free agency to the Washington Commanders. What's behind Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack on the depth chart does not inspire confidence. Although veteran options such as Haason Reddick, Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, and Jadeveon Clowney are still on the market, Los Angeles must be honest with themselves.
Mack's career will soon be coming to an end. They can't afford to simply bring in another stop-gap pass rusher for 2026.
The outlook at defensive tackle, meanwhile, is slightly less inspiring. The only truly productive player left on the market is David Onyemata, who amassed 62 tackles and played just 57% of the defensive snaps last season with the Atlanta Falcons.
Thankfully, the Chargers' need here is slightly less pressing. They've already extended Teair Tart and added Dalvin Tomlinson. But they also lost Da'Shawn Hand and Otito Ogbonnia to the open market. They need to add another depth piece for this room to truly feel solid.
Los Angeles, moreover, has just five selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, having traded away both their fifth and seventh-round selections. There's been a lot of buzz about them potentially selecting one of the class's top defensive tackles on Day 1.
But the reality is that, if they're looking to come away from the draft with viable players at both positions along the defensive line, they may have left themselves no other option. Their hand may be forced, and we may soon see a pair of defensive-line selections in the first three or four rounds of the draft.