Chargers NFL draft preview: Help needed on the offensive line
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Should the Chargers address their need for an offensive lineman to protect quarterback Justin Herbert, who was left unprotected and running for his safety far too often last season, when he was sacked a career-high 54 times and failed to top 4,000 yards passing for the third straight season?
Or should the Chargers add depth at running back or wide receiver?
Playmakers welcome, to turn a favorite Jim Harbaugh phrase on its head.
But the term "playmaker" doesn't necessarily mean someone who turns short gains into long ones or makes third-down catches in traffic seem routine. It also could mean someone who gives the quarterback more time to make a play with steady, reliable protection in the trenches.
There are pros and cons to every selection in the NFL draft.
The Chargers have five picks over seven rounds, starting with the 22nd overall selection Thursday. They have second- and third-round picks Friday and fourth- and sixth-round picks Saturday. It's anticipated that they will try to make moves to acquire more selections, filling gaps in the fifth and seventh rounds.
What's clear is that if Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz decide to select an offensive player with the first of their five picks, then they have another decision to make. Should they fill a glaring void at left guard or should they address a need for another skillful back or receiver?
Last season should be a guide, and it should lead the Chargers to pick a left guard or a collegiate player they believe is capable of moving into the position after playing tackle. Given what happened last season, especially during their wild-card loss, it should be a no-brainer.
Sure, the Chargers won 11 games for the second consecutive season in the second season with Harbaugh and Hortiz in their present jobs. Sure, Herbert proved to be a poised and polished quarterback during his sixth season in the NFL after a stellar college career at Oregon.
But the lasting images of the Chargers' 2025 season were of Herbert running from pressure, unable to find an open target with New England Patriots defenders closing in quickly and then picking himself off the turf after a heavy hit. The Chargers lost 16-3, their second straight one-and-done.
Looking back, the Patriots won because their defensive front dominated the Chargers' patchwork offensive line. Pro Bowl tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater were sidelined for the season by ankle and knee injuries, respectively, and they proved impossible to replace.
Alt and Slater are expected to be sound sooner rather than later, with Hortiz saying last week he expected both to participate in spring practices. Hortiz tried to surround them with quality players during free agency, signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz, among others.
But there's still work to be done on the offensive line, and adding depth or a possible starter should be a priority. Adding depth at running back behind Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell or wide receiver behind Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey could come in later rounds.
There are multiple ways to unlock Herbert's full potential, which is new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's priority for the 2026 season. But none of it will work if Herbert doesn't have time to work his magic and he's spending snap after snap picking himself off the turf.
Hortiz acknowledged making additions to the roster in free agency that were targeted toward making McDaniel's offense click. There's no reason to believe Hortiz will alter his approach with his first-round draft pick. There should be no question but that it should be an offensive lineman.
It would be the best decision.
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 10:01 AM.