Charger Report

Chargers 7-Round NFL Mock Draft After Scouting Combine

The Chargers have decisions to make on their internal free agents and have roster holes to fill. Discover how they can rebuild their roster in this mock draft.
Thomas Martinez|
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Los Angeles Chargers

The 2026 NFL scouting combine is officially in the rearview mirror. The Los Angeles Chargers are deep into the offseason and had most of their coaching staff on hand for the on-field drills and interviews.

The combine is not just the gathering of most of the top prospects in the upcoming draft class for interviews, measurements and athletic testing. The combine is also a meeting of all of the NFL minds, and league information spreads like wildfire.

The buzz around the Chargers and their pending free agents are that there is a chance the Chargers lose both of their free agent edge rushers in Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh. They may also be faced with the reality of losing starting left guard Zion Johnson in free agency as his rumored market is expected to be significantly larger than expected.

This post combine mock draft assumes the Chargers lose edge rusher Odafe Oweh to free agency, but have some free agent crew of interior offensive line assembled with or without Johnson. The Chargers currently have five picks in the 2026 draft with a potential 6th compensatory pick in the 6th round but the current projections have removed that compensatory pick.

NFL mock draft for Chargers after scouting combine

Round 1, pick 22

Clemson edge rusher TJ Parker speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine
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TJ Parker, edge rusher, Clemson

The Chargers will need to plan for the future. TJ Parker entered the 2025 season as one of the top edge rush prospects in the draft. The entire Clemson team had a down year but Parker still shows why he was considered a top 10 talent. The Chargers will be lucky for the 2025 down year discount for Parker to reach them at 22.

Parker is a very well-rounded and violent edge rusher. He will convert speed to power and run through offensive tackles. He also utilizes a long arm pass rush with a violent strike. He is not just a pass rusher, he sets and holds the edge well in the run game and is constantly chasing down the ball. The Chargers ask their edge rushers to be heavy participants in the run game and Parker would be prepared for that role.

Round 2, pick 55

Kansas State center Sam Hecht speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine
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Sam Hecht, center, Kansas

The Chargers will undoubtedly be in the market for the top free centers of the class. But, with free agent Tyler Linderbaum rumored to get north of $22 million per year on the free agent market, the Chargers may need to consider other options. If the Chargers pivot to a veteran like Graham Glasgow who can play guard or center, will allow them to take the best interior offensive lineman available.

In 2025, five guards were taken before the 55th overall pick. There is a high likelihood that there will be a run on guards before the Chargers are back on the board at 55. Therefore, Kansas's Sam Hecht is the best interior lineman on the board. He is quick, strong and an excellent blocker on the move. He is tough and has gone to war against some of the best interior defensive linemen in college football.

Round 3, pick 86

Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens during the NFL Scouting Combine
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Beau Stephens, guard, Iowa

With the Chargers interior offensive line needing a rebuild, a combination of veterans and young players will be needed to maximize the group. If there is a similar run on guards as there was in 2025, the Chargers will be lucky to take a starting-caliber guard in the 3rd round.

Iowa left guard Beau Stephens is one of the best zone blocking guards of the class. He is cerebral and feels when defensive tackles are off balance and loves to use a snatch and trap technique to send them six feet under. He is an awesome blocker in space and at the second level.

Round 4, pick 123

TCU safety Bud Clark speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine
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Bud Clark, safety, TCU

The Chargers have a quiet need at safety. RJ Mickens played well as a rookie but with Derwin James spending most of his time as the nickel cornerback the safety room has only Elijah Molden and RJ Mickens with starting experience. The Chargers could always bring back veteran Tony Jefferson but a plan for the future is warranted.

TCU's Bud Clark is a ball-hawking safety and a good tackler. He tested well at the combine, showing off the speed and acceleration that match his film. He is a bit of a gambler when jumping routes but isn't afraid to go toe to toe in the middle of the field. He also holds a Master's degree in trash-talking and brings energy to the defense.

Round 6, pick 203

Minnesota defensive lineman Deven Eastern speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine
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Deven Eastern, defensive tackle, Minnesota

The Chargers could add some extra beef to the defensive line room. Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell are both versatile interior defensive linemen. Minnesota's Deven Eastern is a bigger run-plugging defensive tackle. He flashed power and quick hands at the Senior Bowl and tested well at the combine.

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Thomas Martinez
THOMAS MARTINEZ

Thomas Martinez has covered the Chargers and the NFL draft since 2022. Born and raised as a Chargers fan, experienced the improbable Super Bowl run in the 94’ season as a child, survived Ryan Leaf, the Marlon McCree fumble and Nate Kaeding in the playoffs. He graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Political Science and The University of Redlands with an MBA.

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