The Los Angeles Chargers have a crucial offseason ahead, with just north of $110 million in cap space and five draft selections to be made.
If they are able to bring in the right pieces, this team could enter contender status very quickly given the play they have gotten from generational quarterback Justin Herbert.
However, in CBS Sports' latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, NFL expert Ryan Wilson has Los Angeles ignoring their greatest need in favor of selecting linebacker Sonny Styles out of Ohio State.
Styles is a great player, and in a vaccum, any team would be happy to have him at the end of the first round. However, it has become clear that the Chargers need to re-shape the interior of their offensive line, and there is no better way to do that than accruing premier talent at low cost through the draft.
Any other move would be a massive mistake.
The Chargers need to select an offensive lineman in the draft if they want to turn this team into a contender
It's not controversial to say the Chargers' ceiling this season has been limited by the play of their offensive line.
While the absences of both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater have played a massive part in their lack of consistency, it has also been the horrid play of Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton that has left the team's offense scrambling for solutions on a week-to-week basis.
Both of these players should likely be replaced this offseason.
With a relatively slim second-contract center and guard market in free agency, the Chargers' best route will be to fill one of these holes through the draft.
Styles is an excellent playmaker, and he has done more than enough in his Senior season at Ohio State to garner a first-round draft grade. As a converted safety, he's lightning fast and has a good feel for dropping out into coverage.
With Daiyan Henley and Troy Dye in the middle of the field, however, Styles would represent a depth piece, at least in his rookie campaign.
Defensive depth is important for the Chargers, but this draft has a number of pieces that could be selected on Day 2 at both linebacker and edge rusher. While they are missing their fifth and seventh-round picks this year, they should be able to add a quality piece in even the third or fourth round if they decide to go that route.
Their premier draft capital, therefore, must be utilized to bring in a center or a guard who can step in and produce immediately. There should be a number of solid options, including Auburn's Connor Lew and Penn State's Olaivevega Ioane, available for them to select wherever they wind up.
In the meantime, they must rid themselves of any temptation to go another route. The offensive line is, without a doubt, what needs to be addressed this offseason.