2026 NFL Draft Grades: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers absolutely, under no circumstances, could let Justin Herbert get hit as often as he got hit in 2025 next season. He took a career-high 54 sacks, and the offensive line had the worst pass block win rate in the NFL at 53.9%. Granted, it's hard to keep your quarterback clean when your two star offensive tackles both miss most of the season. But the interior was a mess, too.

General manager Joe Hortiz chipped away in free agency, signing Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange and letting Mekhi Becton and Zion Johnson walk. But there's a reason guard was my No. 1 draft need. I wouldn't be satisfied with that.

The problem? Olaivavega Ioane -- who would have been perfect in L.A. -- didn't make it to No. 22. Los Angeles took Akheem Mesidor to take over for Odafe Oweh, who had 7.5 sacks for the Chargers after an in-season trade and got three more in the team's playoff loss to the Patriots. Mesidor is an older prospect with 12.5 sacks last season and the bend, burst and power to consistently annoy opposing QBs. Teamed up with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, there is a lot of upside.

The Chargers did make an effort to address the interior on Day 2, landing Jake Slaughter. He's one of my favorite players to watch in this class. I know Los Angeles has Biadasz, but Slaughter has the ability to step in as a rookie and start. He has 33 SEC starts under his belt, and he's a powerful dude with solid mobility for his 6-foot-5, 303-pound size. The guard picks came late, with Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey in Round 6. That's still going to be an issue.

The Brenen Thompson pick was fun. He can fly, running a 4.26 at the combine. But he has a lot of untapped potential as a return man, too. He went for 1,054 yards last season, and the 5-foot-9, 164-pound slot receiver could be a reliable outlet for Herbert.

A team that needs to be in the business of winning playoff games, rather than just getting to postseason with QB Justin Herbert, took 25-year-old pass rusher Akheem Mesidor with the 22nd overall pick. No qualms with the selection, even if Mesidor doesn't turn out to be a long-term replacement for OLB Khalil Mack or even reach a second contract here. Second-round OL Jake Slaughter brings needed depth to the interior O-line. And let's see if lightning fast fourth-round WR Brenen Thompson (4.26 40 at the scouting combine) is the rare player whom Herbert can't actually overthrow.

Best Pick: Fifth-round defensive tackle Nick Barrett will add a power element to a defense that needed more of that inside. I was shocked he lasted until the fifth round.

Worst Pick: Fourth-round safety Genesis Smith of Arizona brings some youth to a group that needs it, but he also has an issue with tackling. That won't work in that defense.

The Skinny: The Chargers had a Jim Harbaugh-like draft. They got tougher on both lines. Taking edge Akheem Mesidor in the first was a great move, and second-round offensive lineman Jake Slaughter will likely start at guard, even though he will be their center down the road. I liked their draft. You can never go wrong drafting big people.

There may not be a head coach in the NFL who values the line of scrimmage more than Jim Harbaugh and this draft class just reinforces that, with the Chargers dedicating six of their eight selections to the burly brawlers up front on both sides of the ball. Size, physicality and pro-readiness are clearly traits Harbaugh and the Los Angeles scouts prioritize, with former Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor personifying these attributes. His ability to rush off the edge or reduce inside should pay immediate dividends, with burly two-gapping defensive tackle Nick Barrett the total opposite, but also a clean schematic fit for the Chargers' front.

Even more importantly, the Chargers made protecting Justin Herbert a clear priority, adding some of the most physical and battle-tested blockers of this class in center Jake Slaughter, tackle Travis Burke and late-round guards Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey, the latter of which played right tackle at Oregon but projects best inside in the NFL. Fourth-round exceptions to the buffet bashers — wideout Brenen Thompson and safety Genesis Smith — are flashy athletes who should serve as fun complementary pieces.

The Chargers wisely prioritized offensive line depth after injuries to that unit wrecked them in 2025. I don't understand the idea of Jake Slaughter potentially playing guard, but outside of that I like Burke as a developmental tackle and Logan Taylor as a spot starter at guard.

Mesidor brings a pro-ready approach to their edge rush group, with detailed hand usage and overall tenacity.

It wouldn't be a draft with Mike McDaniel in the war room if his offense didn't add one of the fastest players, so enter Brenen Thompson.

This was not a very flashy draft and lacks upside, but that approach might be what the Chargers needed if it protects them from more injury.

Here's why: The Chargers didn't do a great job addressing their needs in this draft and they'll need Akheem Mesidor to be an impact pass rusher immediately to cover up some of their interior defensive line issues. Brenen Thompson has the speed to be a deep threat for Justin Herbert, but he's seriously lacking size at 164 pounds. It's hard to see this draft class having the immediate impact the Chargers were hoping for because they still have critical needs to fill along the defensive front.

Most interesting pick: Jake Slaughter, OL, Florida

Slaughter will likely be playing guard with the addition of free-agent center Tyler Biadasz, but he's got the frame and athleticism to develop into a long-term starter if the Chargers can continue to develop the traits he has. The big thing with the Chargers' offensive line will always be the ability to stay consistently healthy, but the starting five looks solid at the close of the draft.

The Chargers looked to the immediate future with their first-round pick, grabbing a 25-year-old pass rusher in Mesidor. The former Hurricanes star is already 25 years old, but he's a pro-ready game-wrecker with a tenacious demeanor and explosive traits. The Chargers smartly addressed their always-injury-riddled offensive line by grabbing Florida's Jake Slaughter in the second round and Memphis's Travis Burke in the fourth. Slaughter in particular could see the field early on. He's a rock solid interior lineman, bringing potential to start at any of the three interior line spots. In the fourth, the team added a pinch of blazing speed to their offense, nabbing the 164-pound Brenen Thompson. The former Mississippi State standout has nitro-boosted speed to run away from defenders and get over the top, a trait that should pair nicely with the bazooka-armed Justin Herbert. Overall, a solid set of picks for the Chargers, who needed to add depth to compete in a tough AFC West division.

Analysis: Mesidor is 25, but he's a force off the edge, having led the ACC in sacks last year with 12.5. He should pair nicely with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu as an immediate impact player. Slaughter also has a chance to start on Los Angeles's revamped offensive line, likely at guard. The Chargers used the rest of their picks to add depth, although Thompson could earn time behind Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris.