The Chargers may already have a long-term eye on the middle of their defense, at least if one early 2027 mock draft is any indication.
In his way-too-early projection, NFL draft analyst Justin Melo has Los Angeles taking Miami defensive tackle Justin Scott with the 27th overall pick. It’s a reminder that even after addressing the position this offseason, the Chargers could be back in the market for help on the interior of the defensive line if the need is still there by the end of the 2026 season.
Scott has built a reputation as one of the country’s best run defenders. At six-foot-four and 300 pounds, he brings the kind of size and power that can hold up in the middle, but his value goes beyond just plugging gaps. His strength, athleticism and versatility let him line up in different spots across the front, which is exactly the kind of flexibility NFL defenses keep asking for.
Miami is expected to lean on him heavily this season, and that stage could give Scott a chance to keep sharpening the rest of his game. He’s already known more for stopping the run than getting after the quarterback, but that’s often where the real intrigue starts for scouts. If his interior pass rush takes another step, his profile changes fast.
The Chargers, meanwhile, did make a move this offseason by signing veteran Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency. Tomlinson brings experience and proven run defense to the middle, but he’s 32-years-old, so it makes sense for Los Angeles to keep thinking ahead. A younger player like Scott would give the team a possible successor while adding another building block up front.
Of course, this is still a projection in July 2026, not a finished draft board. Scott’s stock will be shaped by what he does this season, and there’s plenty of football left before anyone knows where he’ll land. But on paper, the fit is easy to see: the Chargers like to invest in the trenches, and Scott has the kind of traits that could keep him in that first-round mix.
In Other News...
Broncos Fans Will Care About What This Could Mean For Marvin Mims
The Chargers offensive line picture is still taking shape as training camp competition sorts itself out, with Kayode Awosika and Cole Strange both pushing for starting roles. Its the kind of battle that can ripple beyond the trenches, because whatever stability Los Angeles finds up front will shape how quickly the offense can function and how much pressure lands on Justin Herbert.
Herbert has already pointed to a quicker passing game as part of the answer, a shift that could help the line while also changing the rhythm of the offense. For a team trying to settle its protection while keeping the quarterback comfortable, the next few weeks will show whether the Chargers can turn that approach into something dependable rather than just promising. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Fans Seem Finally United On One Long Ignored Need
Training camp is opening with the Chargers still sorting out their cornerback picture, and it is not hard to see why the position keeps drawing attention. There are established names in the mix, backup jobs are up for grabs, and recent injury issues in the defensive backfield have left the team in a spot where depth matters as much as the starters. Even with some young pieces in place, this is the kind of group that can look settled on paper and still feel one tweak away from becoming a problem.
Chargers fans seem to understand that better than most, which is why a recent poll landed so strongly on cornerback as the position they want addressed in the first round of the 2027 draft. The timing adds another layer, with Donte Jackson in the final year of his deal and Tarheen Still and Cam Hart entering year three of their rookie contracts. For a team that has spent too many recent seasons patching together the back end, the message from the fan base is pretty clear: this is a need that has been ignored long enough. [Read more 🡒]