Hood is not only a good cover corner but a fierce tackler, as well. That's the brand of football Jim Harbaugh wants to play.

Since taking over in 2024, GM Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh have not taken a defensive player in the first two rounds of the draft. That was a fine strategy when they had Jesse Minter, a defensive coordinator who proved capable of doing more with less from a personnel standpoint. But now Minter is gone, and the Chargers have a first-year play caller in new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary. They need to invest in defensive talent. As it stands, edge rushers Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack are headed for free agency. Even if the Chargers re-sign both players, they should start planning for life after Mack, who is entering his age-35 season. Faulk gives the Chargers a player to groom in the edge room. He has alignment versatility that will pair well with the flexible Tuli Tuipulotu, who has been very successful kicking inside on pass-rush downs in his career.

I'm not as high on Peter Woods as the industry consensus. He does possess a rare combination of power and athleticism that causes scouts to drool, but I worry about his length and how it will translate to the next level. I'd also like to see him showcase it more often. There are too many snaps where he looks ordinary.

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.