The Los Angeles Chargers are once again facing an all-too-familiar offseason question: how do they finally get over the Wild Card hump? After a tough postseason exit at the hands of the New England Patriots - their second straight first-round playoff loss - the Bolts are back in draft mode earlier than they'd hoped. And with Jim Harbaugh still searching for his first playoff win as the Chargers' head coach, the pressure to make the right moves in April is only growing.
But if there’s one thing Harbaugh has shown since arriving in LA, it’s that he knows how to build through the draft. Last year, he kicked off his Chargers tenure by selecting offensive tackle Joe Alt, a pick that was met with both excitement and approval from fans and analysts alike. Alt wasn’t the only gem - wide receiver Ladd McConkey proved to be a savvy second-round find, and running back Omarion Hampton looked like a future 1,000-yard rusher before a November injury cut his 2025 campaign short.
Now, with just one first-round pick in hand - unlike their crosstown counterparts, the Rams, who have more capital to work with - the Chargers are once again looking to build through the trenches. And if the national mock drafts are any indication, the focus might remain in the same direction Harbaugh has leaned since his Michigan days: the offensive and defensive lines.
Harbaugh himself called Joe Alt “the tip of the spear,” signaling just how foundational he believes the offensive line is to this team’s identity. ESPN’s Field Yates doubled down on that sentiment, noting that no fan base is more aware of the importance of O-line health than Chargers fans - a group that’s seen its fair share of injuries derail promising seasons.
That brings us to the projections. Several analysts believe the Bolts could double down on the trenches again this year.
Mike Renner (CBS Sports) sees the Chargers looking to the other side of the ball with pick No. 22.
His projection? A high-upside defensive tackle in the mold of Harbaugh’s past interior disruptors like Poona Ford and Teair Tart.
Renner points to the physical tools and explosiveness of this prospect as too tempting to pass up, especially given Harbaugh’s track record of developing tough, high-motor linemen.
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network) has a different name in mind - but the same position. Jeremiah is particularly high on a certain Red Raiders defensive tackle, calling him “one of my draft crushes.”
He praises the player’s size, quickness, and disruptive potential, noting he’d be a natural fit in LA’s defensive front. With Tart set to hit free agency, this pick could also serve as a bit of insurance in the trenches.
But not everyone sees the Chargers staying put at No. 22.
Chad Reuter (NFL Network) envisions a trade-down scenario with the Houston Texans. In his mock, Houston sends over a pair of fourth-round picks - a move that would help the Chargers replenish some much-needed Day 3 draft capital.
In return, the Texans move up to grab a right tackle, while the Chargers slide back to No. 28 and still address the offensive line with Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis. Reuter notes this could be a strategic move if LA anticipates potential departures from key linemen like Zion Johnson or Jamaree Salyer.
So whether it’s staying put and grabbing a disruptive force for the defensive line, or trading back to shore up depth while still protecting Justin Herbert, one thing’s clear: Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz are building this team from the inside out. The trenches are the foundation - and in LA, that foundation is still under construction. But if recent picks are any indication, the blueprint is starting to take shape.