Omar Navarro
The NFL Draft process continues to heat up, with All-Star games in the rearview mirror and the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine less than a month away.
The Bolts head into the2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh, with five selections starting with No. 22 overall.
Take a look at who draft analysts have the Chargers selecting in the draft as of early February.
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed below represent those of individual authors and do not represent the opinions or policies of the Chargers' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives.
Lance Zierlein,NFL.comG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Do they still turn in actual cards? If so, the Chargers need to sprint this one up! Ioane might be a Nittany Lion, but he's cut from the Harbaugh mold.
Matt Miller,ESPNDT Caleb Banks, Florida
Last updated: February 2, 2026
The run on edge rushers before this pick leaves the Chargers with some interesting decisions. Do they add to an offensive line that was marred by injury in 2025 or try to fix a D-line that still needs a true anchor to help defend the run? With the talent that's left on the board, Banks would be very enticing as the nose tackle Los Angeles is missing. The 6-foot-6 339-pounder is an aggressive bull rusher with rare first-step quickness for his size. Think Vita Vea, but with better length. Banks missed all but two games last season due to a foot injury, but his Senior Bowl performance was well-received by scouts, who saw the explosive play in the trenches that excited them entering the 2025 season.
Second round (No. 55):G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Injuries decimated the Chargers' offensive line in 2025, highlighting the lack of overall depth and long-term answers on the interior. Pregnon would be a plug-and-play starter at either guard spot.
Trevor Sikkema,Pro Football FocusG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: February 2, 2026
The Chargers' offensive line was an Achilles' heel this past season. They'll get Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back from injury at the tackle spots, but their interior pass blocking must improve. Ioane was one of the best pass-blocking guards in college football in 2025, notching an 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade.
Ryan Wilson,CBS SportsG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Ioane is one of the cleanest prospects in this class, excelling as an earth mover in the run game and showing the athleticism to be effective in both gap and zone schemes. In pass protection, he plays with a strong base, using a well-timed, powerful punch to neutralize the bull rush.
Eric Edholm,NFL.comEDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Last updated: January 30, 2026
The Chargers don't mind pass rushers with atypical measurements, and Howell matches the temperament they are looking for, with a violent, urgent play style. This feels like a great match to protect against Khalil Mack's potential departure/retirement.
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman,The AthleticDT Peter Woods, Clemson
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Is this too low for Woods? His stock ultimately could depend on testing and interviews, as his final year at Clemson was not on the level of his first two (though most of the team struggled in 2025). The Chargers would be getting a player with serious potential here.
Bucky Brooks,NFL.comEDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Last updated: January 28, 2026
The energetic pass rusher would make the perfect replacement for Khalil Mack, who is staring at both free agency and potential retirement. As a power rusher with outstanding instincts, Mesidor would complement Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu on the edges.
Danny Kelly,The RingerG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Last updated: January 28, 2026
The Chargers need to shore up their interior line, and Pregnon could help. The former Ducks stalwart brings reliability and tons of experience to the guard spot, combining power in the run game with sound technique in pass protection. He's just what Justin Herbert needs in 2026 and beyond.
Charles McDonald & Nate Tice,Yahoo SportsG Vega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: January 27, 2026
It's impossible to predict losing so many offensive linemen to injury, but having more of them at least gives an opportunity to build some much-needed depth up front.
Daniel Jeremiah,NFL.comDT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Hunter is one of my early draft crushes. He has outstanding size, quickness and the ability to disrupt.
Vinnie Iyer,Sporting NewsDT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Last updated: January 26, 2026
The Chargers need to beef up both lines for Jim Harbaugh but defense can come first, hoping that they can just get healthy at offensive tackle. McDonald would make a good transition to thrive for them up front with Woods off the board.
Mel Kiper, Jr.,ESPNDT Peter Woods, Clemson
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Woods looked like a top-10 pick heading into the season, but the production dipped, and here he is outside the top 20. The Chargers won't complain, though. They would love to bring in a talented 3-technique with strength and versatility. At his best, Woods can wreck an opponent's game plan.
Dalton Wasserman,Pro Football FocusOG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater should return to full strength in time for next season, but the Chargers still need to add help along the interior offensive line this offseason. One potential immediate starter is Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon. Pregnon led all qualified Power Four guards in PFF grade (86.5) while allowing just one sack this season.
