It’s not often I get around to doing a mock draft, but I figured it’s about time to get the ball rolling. The draft is just around the corner, so why not take the liberty of doing a mock to see how the Los Angeles Chargers can improve on their roster for the 2026 season? Keep in mind, the Chargers only have five picks in this draft, so I made a couple of trades to increase their opportunities at depth. I’m expecting general manager Joe Hortiz to do just that once the draft rolls around. With that said, let’s see how the board went.
Trade with Buffalo Bills: Chargers receive picks 1.26 and 3.27; Bills receive 1.22
Round 1, Pick 26: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (FL)
I was just as surprised at the board when I saw Akheem Mesidor fall to the Chargers, but this would be a massive get for them. Considering you have Khalil Mack back on a one-year deal, you would need to find someone to replace him after next year to pair with Tuli Tuipulotu for the future. Mesidor fits that bill.
Mesidor tallied 12.5 sacks and 63 total tackles with the Miami Hurricanes last year. The duo of him and Rueben Bain last year was a spectacular one. Now imagine getting him in the Chargers’ edge room, learning under Khalil Mack, pairing him with Tuli…Chargers fans would break the sound barrier with how much excitement they would have if Mesidor fell to them on draft night.
Trade with San Francisco 49ers: Chargers receive 2.26 and 4.27; 49ers receive 2.22
Round 2, Pick 26: Keyland Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Guard is by far the biggest need for the Chargers, and Keyland Rutledge addresses that. One of the more highly regarded guards in this draft class, he would come in and immediately compete for a starting role position going into season.
He’s primarily played right guard but has had opportunities to play left guard as well while at Georgia Tech. His versatility would be welcomed in Los Angeles.
Rutledge started all 26 games in his last two years at Georgia Tech and helped shape the Yellow Jackets into a top 25 rushing offense last year. He also didn’t allow a single sack last year. Giving Justin Herbert a steady, consistent offensive line would be a big help, and Rutledge can definitely provide that.
Round 3, Pick 22: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
Safety is a sneaky need for the Chargers that many may not consider, given they have Derwin James. That’s just it, though: Derwin is more than just a safety. He does a bit of everything on the field as a Swiss Army knife: lining up deep, playing nickel, stepping into the box as a linebacker, and defending the run. You get my point.
This is no shade to Elijah Molden or Tony Jefferson, but Molden was in and out of the lineup last year due to injuries, and Jefferson was only brought back on a one-year deal. The team needs an injection of youth in the safety room.
Treydan Stukes would be a great fit in this defense with his speed and toughness. He ran a 4.33 forty-yard dash at the combine, and that speed definitely shows on tape. It helped him secure four interceptions last year, the most of his career in a season.
Having also recently come off an injury in 2024, he’s shown he is willing to put in the work to be an elite player at the next level.
Round 3, Pick 26: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
Lance? As in…Trey Lance’s brother? Yes, that is him. The North Dakota State product would be a nice addition to an already young receiver room. There have been conversations about the Chargers possibly moving on from Quentin Johnston, so adding Lance would be key if that happens. Even if Johnston stays, I still like the move of bringing in another receiver.
Standing at 6’3″, Bryce Lance would be a big target for Herbert. He finished last season with 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns. He would likely line up outside as a big-bodied receiver with the ability to win 50/50 balls. That’s something the Chargers have lacked since Mike Williams’ retirement just before last season.
And if that wasn’t enough to get you on board, Lance also runs a 4.3 forty–so he has speed to go with the size.
Putting him in a room with Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, and Keandre Lambert-Smith….Justin Herbert would be one happy quarterback.
Round 4, Pick 23: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Given the nature of today’s game, you can never have too many corners. The league is more pass-heavy than ever, meaning quarterbacks are throwing more frequently than in the past. As a result, you need more depth in the secondary to slow down opposing passing attacks.
For the Chargers, the cornerback room looks good, but it can always improve. As it stands, the room consists of Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, and Donte Jackson, so they could definitely use the depth.
Chandler Rivers is a tough dependable defender who played every game for the Duke Blue Devils during his four-year career. Over that time span, he recorded 223 tackles and 7 interceptions, as well as 29 passes defended. With Jackson ackson entering the final year of his deal, adding Rivers would benefit the Chargers long term.
Round 4, Pick 27: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
With Mike McDaniel now calling the offense, you need to surround him with as many weapons as possible. Adding a tight end who can block as well as catch passes would be a valuable asset. Enter Oscar.
Oscar Delp may not be the flashiest tight end in this class, but he can contribute both in the run and pass games with his blocking and reliability as in the short-yardage situations. His numbers at Georgia won’t WOW people, but his impact goes beyond the box score. Last year, he had 20 receptions for 261 yards and one touchdown.
Do not let that discourage you from taking a look at his tape. Pairing him with Oronde Gadsden, Charlie Kolar, and Alec Ingold would create a strong, versatile group.
Round 6, Pick 23: Skyler Gill-Howard, DE, Texas Tech
Start the draft with an edge player, end it with one. As mentioned earlier, with the league becoming more pass-heavy, there are more opportunities for edge rushers to get after the quarterback. If you look at past Super Bowl champions like the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, a dominant defensive line was a major focus.
Skyler Gill-Howard had the liberty of sharing the field with David Bailey, Romello Height, and Lee Hunter at Texas Tech. Playing alongside that kind of talent often means fewer opportunities, but it can also work to your advantage.
Edge players are typically tasked with setting the edge and containing quarterbacks, and that’s what Gill-Howard brought in his limited appearances. He primarily served as a rotational piece, appearing in six games and recording 13 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pick-six.
As a depth addition, this feels like a solid fit. The Chargers don’t yet know what Khalil Mack will do after this season, so having a plan in place is crucial. While Gill-Howard may not be the next Khalil Mack, adding more talent alongside Tuli Tuipulotu and company will help shape the future of the roster.
