Chargers Select Florida C Jake Slaughter

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Florida center Jake Slaughter with the 63rd pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, further bolstering the interior of their offensive line.

While they signed veteran Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million deal this offseason to replace recently retired Bradley Bozeman, Slaughter could provide valuable depth as he adjusts to the speed of the next level and develops on the scout team.

The six-foot-four, 305-pound center spent five seasons with the Gators after redshirting as a freshman. Slaughter earned First-Team All-American honors in 2024 and was a two-time First-Team All-SEC selection over his final two seasons.

In 2025, the two-time team captain allowed just four total pressures and one sack across 422 pass-blocking snaps. He earned a 79.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus—ranking eighth among 305 eligible centers—along with an 84.1 pass-blocking grade and an 80.2 run-blocking grade across 748 offensive snaps.

The 23-year-old participated at the NFL Scouting Combine, measuring in with 32 3/8-inch arms and 10-inch hands. He ran a 5.10-second 40-yard dash with a 1.74-second 10-yard split, while posting a 32.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-2 broad jump.

According to Next Gen Stats, Slaughter earned a 79 overall score and a 92 production score—both ranking first among centers—while his estimated athleticism score of 68 ranked sixth at the position.

Slaughter wins with technique and instincts, routinely positioning himself well and sustaining blocks in outside zone concepts. While he can struggle against power at times, his balance, hand placement and gap control in pass protection, along with his above-average football IQ, give him a dependable floor as a contributor at the next level.

He also brings positional intelligence that should translate well into new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's system, particularly in identifying fronts and making pre-snap adjustments. His experience as a three-year starter and team captain speaks to his leadership and communication abilities—key traits for a center responsible for setting protections.

While he may not possess elite athletic traits, Slaughter’s consistency, awareness and technical refinement allow him to minimize mistakes and remain assignment-sound. He plays with good leverage and hand placement, helping him stay engaged through reps and maintain control at the point of attack.

For the Chargers, Slaughter could potentially develop into a long-term successor to Biadasz if he progresses as expected. With continued development, his technical consistency and football intelligence give him a path to eventually compete for a starting role along the interior.