Omar Navarro
The countdown to Round 1 has hit nine days as we've reached the home stretch of the draft process.
The Bolts head into the2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh, with five selections starting with No. 22 overall.
Take a look at who draft analysts have the Chargers selecting in the draft as of early April.
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed below represent those of individual authors and do not represent the opinions or policies of the Chargers' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives.
Gennaro Filice,NFL.com- EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Last updated: April 13, 2026
At 6-6, 276 pounds, Faulk offers the kind of physicality, frame and run-stuffing game Jim Harbaugh fancies. He's raw as a pass rusher, though, which isn't entirely surprising for one of the youngest prospects in this draft class. In L.A., Faulk could learn a thing or two from Khalil Mack... and eventually comprise an imposing edge duo with breakout Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu.
Nate Tice & Charles McDonald,Yahoo Sports- EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Do the Chargers reach for the next best guard option here? To me, that would be Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon. Instead, they continue to bolster their run defense with Parker, a rugged player who might not have high sack producing upside but is a strong run defender who will help set the edge in the run game and give the Chargers another player with that skill set that's not Khalil Mack. Parker's hard working style will give him fans, and the fact he can also kick inside on pass rush downs to open up creative defensive packages is a bonus.
Mike Renner,CBS Sports- DL Peter Woods, Clemson
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Woods is exactly what the Chargers need along the defensive line -- someone with the juice to affect opposing passers. Jim Harbaugh has worked wonders with interior defensive linemen, making this a strong landing spot for Woods to grow.
Bradley Locker,Pro Football Focus- T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Last updated: April 13, 2026
An abundance of offensive linemen still on the board would thrill the Chargers' brass, given the team's pursuit of more talent up the middle. Proctor could potentially stick on the perimeter, but his issues against power and moments getting locked out would be mitigated at guard, which would be perfect for Los Angeles. Regardless, Proctor's 86.1 overall PFF grade should cement him as a bona fide first-rounder, with the potential to be taken much higher than this.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz,USA Today- EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Beyond identifying a potential successor for 35-year-old Khalil Mack, the Chargers demonstrated last year that their defense works best when they have a formidable third edge rusher in their rotation. With Odafe Oweh off to Washington, Mesidor can step in to keep Mack fresh with his pro-ready approach to pass-rushing.
Rob Rang,FOX Sports- EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Last updated: April 13, 2026
No one prioritizes the line of scrimmage like Jim Harbaugh, and this is the perfect draft to add reinforcements up front. Mesidor gets dinged by some because of his advanced age he just turned 25 but remember, this is a Chargers squad that just re-signed 35-year-old Khalil Mack. Clearly, the Chargers understand that age is not as important as production. Mesidor certainly offers that, generating 52.5 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks over his college career most among this year's top-rated defensive linemen, including his more celebrated former Miami teammate Rueben Bain.
Zachary Pereles,CBS Sports- WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Receivers go back to back at No. 21 and No. 22, and I love the fit of KC Concepcion in Los Angeles. He has earned comparisons to Jaylen Waddle, and guess who just thrived in Mike McDaniel's offense? Jaylen Waddle. Plugging Concepcion into the slot would be a great help for Justin Herbert.
Vinnie Iyer,Sporting News- CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Last updated: April 9, 2026
The Chargers will keep an eye on pass rush and interior offensive line, but with Ioane and Faulk off the board, they can also pivot well to addressing a concern at outside cornerback opposite Donte Jackson for the new defensive scheme under Chris O'Leary.
Jordan Dajani,CBS Sports- OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Caleb Lomu is not the most natural fit for the Chargers, but they can't help but grab him at No. 22 overall. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are coming off season-ending injuries, but I also wonder if Lomu could kick inside to guard. Either way, the Chargers need to upgrade Justin Herbert's protection.
Rhett Lewis,NFL.com- OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Last updated: April 11, 2026
The Chargers have had their issues with injuries at the tackle position, and they just lost guard Zion Johnson in free agency. Proctor, who played left tackle at Alabama, could provide security there as Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt recover from a torn patellar tendon and ankle injury, respectively -- and he could potentially step in as a starting guard, as well.
Josh Edwards,CBS Sports- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Last updated: April 9, 2026
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Derwin James are two versatile, physical pieces in that Los Angeles secondary. In looking at the prospects available, McNeil-Warren was the best available even if it was not the team's biggest area of need.
