Joe Hortiz has drafted well in each of his tenures as the Chargers’ general manager. So what would it take for him to keep it up and earn high praise for his haul later this week?
Here is how the Bolts can ace the draft:
Trade down and get more picks
Trading down is a necessity for the Chargers. With only five total selections (tied for the second-fewest in the NFL), the Bolts lack the ammo to address all their critical needs on both sides of the line. They could move back a few spots with a team like the Bears (No. 25 overall), who could jump up to grab an offensive tackle. Or Los Angeles could trade back to the top of the second round with a quarterback-needy team like the Jets (No. 33) or Cardinals (No. 34). By trading back, Hortiz can leverage their first-round pick to secure additional mid-round capital.
Secure a starting-caliber guard
The Chargers’ primary weakness continues to be the interior of the offensive line, specifically the left guard position. They signed Cole Strange, who is presumably the starting right guard. The Bolts brought back Trevor Penning and added Kayode Awosika. Neither is viewed as a definitive solution. Penn State’s Vega Ioane is a dream at this point. But if he fell, then they should not hesitate to run the card in. One of Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon or Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge would be a great consolation prize.
Find the EDGE
The Chargers must address the reality that Khalil Mack is on a one-year, $18 million contract and will be 35 years old this season. While Tuli Tuipulotu has emerged as a premier starter, the loss of Odafe Oweh in free agency has left a major void in the long-term rotation in the positional room. If the Bolts pass on a guard in the first round, they should have options like Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor or Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas. But the Day 2 edge rushers of Michigan’s Derrick Moore, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas, Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton and Ohio State’s Caden Curry are also great options.
Get a weapon for Mike McDaniel
McDaniel’s system thrives on yards-after-catch (YAC) and speed. While the Chargers have Ladd McConkey, they lack a true field-stretching “X” receiver or a hybrid gadget player. Given their needs, drafting one in the first round would be a luxury. But they have been linked to some Round 1 targets like Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion. Beyond the ones for pick No. 22, guys like Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Oklahoma’s Deion Burks, North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance or Clemson’s Antonio Williams would move the needle.
Get another stud in the secondary
Hortiz has a proven track record of identifying solid defensive backs late in the draft. In his first two seasons in Los Angeles, Hortiz found pro-ready players in the secondary on Day 3, with those being cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still in 2024 and safety R.J. Mickens this past year. I do think defensive back is a sneaky need that could be addressed earlier than expected. But if they take care of the other things mentioned above, I’m a firm believer that Hortiz would hit on a secondary player late. Arizona’s Dalton Johnson is a name to remember. Safeties coach Adam Fuller attended their Pro Day.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: How Chargers can earn ‘A’ grade in the 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
