Earlier this month, we took a look at 14 prospects who could make sense for the Los Angeles Chargers at pick No. 22 in the first round.
With the NFL Draft now exactly four weeks away, we are going to broaden our board and dive into some Day 2 options. The Chargers hold pick No. 55 in the second round and pick No. 86 in the third round.
Unlike the first two years under general manager Joe Hortiz, the Chargers are entering this draft with some pretty pressing needs. In 2024 and 2025, Hortiz did well to build depth through free agency, and the Chargers were positioned to be flexible early in the draft. The Chargers are not positioned the same way in 2026.
Though they signed former Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika on Wednesday, they still need to add a guard in the first two days of this draft. The Chargers also need to draft an edge rusher somewhere in the first three rounds to replace Odafe Oweh, who left in free agency.
With those needs in mind, we will focus our Day 2 board primarily on edge rusher and guard. We will also have some names at two other positions: receiver and cornerback. The Chargers could leave this draft without additions at either position, but some additional competition would be helpful for the roster.
Guard
We laid out the dream scenario for the Chargers in our Mock 2.0 that was published earlier this week: Penn State guard Vega Ioane falling to 22. Ioane is Dane Brugler’s top-ranked guard. He started at left guard for the Nittany Lions last season. If the Chargers can draft Ioane in the first round, their offensive line improves dramatically. Currently, Trevor Penning and Awosika are the options at left guard.
Of course, Ioane might very well be off the board by the time the Chargers are picking in the first round. They need to have contingency options in the second and third rounds. Here are some options.
Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Bistontis is Brugler’s No. 2 guard and No. 43 overall player. He started at left guard for the Aggies last season, and I think his athleticism and movement skills will fit into offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s rushing scheme. Will Bisontis be there at No. 55 for the Chargers? Should they consider taking him at No. 22 in the first round? Can they trade back either later into the first or into the second and still land Bisontis while picking up some additional capital? All important questions when considering Bisontis.
Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
As the No. 79 overall player, Pregnon is firmly a Day 2 player on Brugler’s board. He is big and powerful with heavy hands, and he has a sudden get-off as a run blocker, especially when pulling. But I would characterize his movement skills as more explosive than smooth. He has the athleticism to get to space, but he is not always consistent in fitting up blocks when he gets there. Pregnon is an aggressive finisher in the run game.
Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
If the Chargers miss out on Ioane and Bisontis, Farmer is probably my favorite fit among the remaining Day 2 guards. I see plus movement skills with the capability to reach-block in outside zone schemes. He tested off the charts at the combine, and he takes great angles as a run blocker. Farmer is a weapon as a puller. He shows an athletic base in pass protection. Farmer has decent play strength, but it is clear the Chargers are prioritizing range and athleticism over power at guard in this new offense. Farmer is Brugler’s No. 81 overall player.
Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Schrauth is a functional mover with good eyes and awareness in pass protection. I think he lacks some power and pop in the run game, and he struggles to fit up against twitchier players, especially when climbing to the second level. Injuries will be a factor with Schrauth, as he missed time in 2024 with an ankle injury and suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2025. He’s No. 89 on Brugler’s list.
Other options: Gennings Dunker, Iowa (No. 84 overall); Kage Casey, Boise State (No. 98)
Edge rusher
If Ioane is off the board at No. 22, the Chargers should have plenty of options at edge rusher in the first round. We touched on a number of those prospects in our Round 1 big board, including Miami’s Akheem Mesidor and Clemson’s T.J. Parker. If the board falls this way, I think the Chargers would be best served taking edge in the first round and addressing guard on Day 2.
However, if the Chargers do not take an edge in the first round, they will need to fill this need on Day 2. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu are a solid duo. But last year proved that the Chargers require three quality edge rushers to bring their scheme to life. New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary will be running the same system as Jesse Minter.
Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Jacas was my pick at No. 55 in Mock 2.0. I love his violent play style, and I could see the Chargers being intrigued by the way he destroys blocks as a pass rusher and run defender. Of course, the Chargers could seek a different body type to complement the power of Mack and Tuipulotu. But physically imposing players like Jacas tend to have more potential for immediate impact at the next level. Jacas is Brugler’s No. 57 overall player.
Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Speaking of different body types, Crawford is a smaller speed rusher who can bend and close on the quarterback. He does not have the size to consistently set the edge in the run game, so he profiles more as a known passing-down player — at least early in his career. But that skill set would fit into the current room. Crawford plays with an excellent pass-rush motor. As Brugler writes, “His effort consistently pops.” Crawford is Brugler’s No. 67 overall player.
Keyron Crawford is more of a lean, speed rusher who would be good in known-passing situations. (Justin Ford / Getty Images)
Romello Height, Texas Tech
Though Height is a very slender edge rusher at 234 pounds, he has real juice. He is slippery and deceptive as a rusher. He looks to be shot out of a cannon coming off the ball, especially when pressing to the outside shoulder of tackles. Brugler put it best: “Height doesn’t have the size that teams desire for an edge player. But keeping him blocked is easier said than done.” Height is Brugler’s No. 80 overall player.
Other options: Derrick Moore, Michigan (No. 52); Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (No. 68); LT Overton, Alabama (No. 78); Malachi Lawrence, UCF (No. 93)
Cornerback
Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart are all returning in the Chargers’ cornerback room. That is a viable trio, and with Derwin James Jr. continuing to play often in the slot, the Chargers have three capable starters for two outside spots in what should be their most-used package. Still, Benjamin St-Juste left in free agency. And I think the Chargers need a little more competition at this position. I could see them taking a cornerback at any point on the first two days of the draft. Some names for Day 2:
Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Abney shows the instincts and trigger that will fit well in some of the zone looks in O’Leary’s scheme. He is quick to diagnose from off alignments, and he flies downhill to make tackles in space. As Brugler writes, Abney is a “little bit of a wild defender.” But I think the Chargers can harness this play style. Abney is Brugler’s No. 59 overall player.
Devin Moore, Florida
Moore is 6 feet 3 and has the size to play physical press coverage at the line of scrimmage. He also looks comfortable in zone coverage, including in the deep part of the field as an outside Cover 3 defender. “He plays with patience and control to stay on top of routes, both underneath and vertically,” Brugler writes. Moore is Brugler’s No. 73 overall player.
Chandler Rivers, Duke
Rivers was my pick at No. 86 in Mock 2.0. He is going to be one of my draft darlings as we continue through this process. Rivers is versatile and a true playmaker in multiple phases. I could see him fitting into numerous roles within O’Leary’s scheme — outside, nickel, safety. I love him as a blitzer, too. “Rivers turns you off with his size, but then immediately draws you back in with his on-field play,” Brugler writes. He is Brugler’s No. 88 overall player.
Other options: Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (No. 50); Treydan Stukes, Arizona (No. 77); Malik Muhammad, Texas (No. 90)
Receiver
The Chargers have a quality collection of young receivers, from Ladd McConkey to Tre’ Harris to Quentin Johnston to KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The big question I have when it comes to receiver with McDaniel: Does he feel like there is a missing ingredient to complete this room?
The one piece I keep coming back to is an explosive yards-after-the-catch weapon. McConkey can certainly do some of that. Derius Davis is another potential fit, though he struggled with injuries in 2025. There are two prospects in this range that I think can fill this potential hole.
Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
Thompson was my pick at No. 123 in Mock 2.0. He is Brugler’s No. 74 overall player, and he could very well be off the board on Day 2. As Brugler notes, Thompson led the SEC in receiving yards last season. He ran a 4.26 40 at the combine, and I think he provides more than just pure speed. I see some nuance in his route running. “He is a smaller target but creates big plays at every level of the field,” Brugler writes.
Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Branch has the potential to be a YAC monster in the NFL. Georgia used him often as a pre-snap move piece and also got the ball in his hands on screens. As Brugler writes, Branch’s “manufactured touches allowed him to show off his catch-and-burst ability.” He is a challenge to bring down in the open field. I like his contact balance. He was an elite tester, running a 4.35 40-yard dash and jumping 38 inches in the vertical leap. Branch and McDaniel seem like a perfect match. He is Brugler’s No. 75 overall player.