Los Angeles Chargers NFL Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

The Chargers would love to get offensive line help here, but a blue-chip defensive tackle could be viewed as more valuable than the fifth- or sixth-best O-lineman in the back half of the first round. A unanimous first-team All-American, McDonald had 65 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks and two forced fumbles en route to being named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

In this year's deep safety class, McNeil-Warren has a strong shot to be the third one off the board in the first round. He is extremely fluid and long, with great play vision and natural disruption skills. He forced three fumbles in 2025, while recording 12 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past three seasons.

The Chargers have needs at edge and guard to address in the draft, but safety is a sneaky area where they need to get younger. Derwin James Jr. will be a 30-year-old free agent next offseason.

While the Chargers' offense will look different under new coordinator Mike McDaniel, coach Jim Harbaugh will always have an affinity for big, powerful linemen. Pregnon certainly fits that bill at 314 pounds with an 82⅞-inch wingspan. He forced defensive players into business decisions during stops at Idaho, USC and Oregon. The Chargers' need for interior O-line help is well-documented.

They have to get some young blood for their edge group. Lawrence is one of those guys who would fit what they want in their scheme. He plays hard all the time, which shows up on tape.

The first round almost unfolded perfectly for the Chargers, with Ioane falling into the 20s. The Chargers still have a glaring hole at left guard. I probably could have been more aggressive in moving up. But the Chargers are working with only five picks in the 2026 draft. I thought hanging on to capital was the prudent move. In the end, the Steelers took Ioane, and I pivoted to another pressing need: edge rusher. Khalil Mack is back, and Tuli Tuipulotu is under contract. Odafe Oweh left in free agency to sign with the Washington Commanders. The Chargers could use another piece to replace Oweh. My preferred option was Parker, who has length, physicality and polished hands. A defined plan in his pass-rush sequencing gives him the potential to make an immediate impact next to Mack and Tuipulotu. — Daniel Popper

This would be a boon for the Chargers. Fano is a great athlete who is explosive as a run blocker and is an easy mover in space. The Chargers didn't really make a big splash at their guard positions this offseason, but Fano would fit right in with Mike McDaniel's scheme. I have some reservations of how Fano will hold up at tackle at the next level and think Fano's best spot is at guard or even center. That's not as much of a concern in Los Angeles with the Chargers' talented tackle duo. It is nice that Fano has the positional versatility to provide depth if the Chargers ever need it (they will need it).

A 6-foot-4, 263-pounder who ran a sub-4.7 40-yard dash at the combine, Parker isn't Khalil Mack — who is? — but could be a heckuva a Mack-lite backfill for the veteran, who re-signed with the Bolts but just for 2026.

The Chargers thank their lucky stars that their need on the interior matches up with the best player still available. Ioane would be their most talented guard.

After the Chargers attacked their interior offensive line problem before free agency even opened, they can turn their attention to the defensive line and a high-upside player such as Woods in the first round. Some teams will be worried about his lack of production last season (two sacks), but his potential is robust as an NFL 3-technique. He could add some punch to the Chargers' defensive front as a penetrating interior havoc-wreaker.

Jesse Minter might be gone as defensive coordinator, but the principles of that defense remain. We know Jim Harbaugh is going to want to build a run wall, and Hunter can help them do that. Hunter had a solid season in his only year at Texas Tech. He might be only 6-foot-3, but he plays bigger than his size.