Los Angeles Chargers NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

The Chargers used a third-round pick on Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell (86th overall) and signed multiple defensive tackles to one-year deals in free agency, but more reinforcements to their defensive line will be needed in 2026. The Chargers ranked near the bottom of the league in YPC allowed (4.7, 27th) in 2024. Banks (6'6", 329 pounds) finished last season with seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with 3.5 of those sacks occuring in his final two games against Ole Miss and LSU, and he has the traits, athleticism, and upside to go much earlier than this.

McCoy had four interceptions last season after transferring in from Oregon State. He has good size and the ball production to match. Jim Harbaugh nabs a ball hawk for the secondary in the first round.

There aren't many clear top options in this receiver class right now, but I'm projecting a big season from Anderson. That would put him in the first-round mix. After setting the Oklahoma freshman touchdown receptions record in 2023 (10), he played in only one game in 2024 because of a quad injury and then transferred to LSU. Playing with Nussmeier at quarterback will help his profile. The Chargers could put together a solid group of young receivers in Anderson, Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston.

Despite rotating with a pair of talented edge rushers in Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, Howell (6-4, 245 pounds) led the Aggies with 34 pressures and a 16.7% pressure rate that almost doubled Stewart's 8.4% rate in 2024. He would give the Chargers a dynamic speed rusher to disrupt the high-functioning Chiefs and Broncos passing offenses.

You can never have enough pass rushers and that's particularly true in the AFC West, given quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Geno Smith and Bo Nix. Uiagalelei is from Southern California and has that ideal combination of size and burst off the edge, to say nothing of his high motor as a defender that is sure to endure him to Jim Harbaugh & Co. in L.A.

While studying the Florida defense late last season, I routinely came across Sapp standing out on the Ole Miss and Florida State tapes. At 6-2, 275, he should be the leader of the Gators' defense in 2025.

Whether it be along the offensive line, linebacker or even defensive back, playing for Jim Harbaugh requires a great deal of physicality. Harris stands out in that regard, showing the tenacity and awareness to battle receivers at the catch point, as well as in run support.

Even with Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams and Malaki Starks — among others — off to the NFL, don't expect Georgia's well of defensive talent to dry up anytime soon. Miller might be next in line to be a future first-round pick, as the 6-4, 305-pounder showed plenty of flashes of disruptiveness against both the run and pass before being knocked out for the remainder of the campaign with a shoulder injury.