Mock drafts consistently point defense. But one analyst's surprising offensive tackle pick might align with the Chargers' surprising front office logic.
It has been a few weeks since I've checked in on the mock drafts. Back then, the consensus seemed to be that Penn State guard Vega Ioane (who everyone had mocked to the Los Angeles Chargers at pick #22 before the NFL Combine) was going to be selected before the Chargers had a chance to pick him, so everyone had the team selecting a defensive player instead.
Not one particular defensive player, there was a differing of opinions on which person and which position, but the thought was that the Chargers would go defense in the 1st Round if they couldn't get Ioane. Let's see if things have changed since then....
Mel Kiper (April 18): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (1st Round) & Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon (2nd round)
Chad Reuter (April 17): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (29th overall - trade)
Jared Dubin (April 17): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Clemson
Geoff Schwartz (April 15): Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Tom Fornelli (April 15): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Todd McShay (April 15): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (25th overall - trade)
Dane Brugler (April 14): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Alright, let's stop there and chat for a minute. The first seven recent mock drafts that I found from reputable sources and, once again, they're all picking defensive players for the Los Angeles Chargers.
I do feel the need, just real quick, to point out that the Chargers had a top-10 defense last season no matter how you look at it. They were 9th in points allowed, 5th in yards allowed, 3rd in passing TDs allowed, 2nd in first downs allowed....you get the idea.
The Chargers also finished 20th in points scored on offense, 25th in rushing TDs, 25th in net yards per pass attempt and....again, you get the idea.
If these mock drafts are right about where the Chargers are headed with their 1st Round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, I do think it is an example of the team pushing in to improve a strength and assuming that the weaknesses will be taken care of by better health and luck. Maybe they're right! Still, it feels strange.
Adam Rank (April 14): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
I am glad that I decided to go to NFL.com and check their mock drafts to find this one from Adam Rank because I feel like it ties into a specific point that Joe Hortiz made this week.
Hortiz was answering questions about the not-yet-complete Chargers offensive line. When pressed, he said that Trevor Penning would be the team's left guard if the season started today. He also said that Trey Pipkins III would be the team's backup/swing tackle in case Slater or Alt were to pick up another injury.
When asked about potentially picking a tackle in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft, Hortiz said, “If there’s a college tackle that we’re taking at 22, we feel like he can move inside."
That's interesting! That's not the type of thing you say for no reason. That's the type of thing you say because you have looked at a tackle, or more than one tackle, that you think would be worth drafting in the 1st Round moving inside to guard (at least temporarily).
In that regard, I think Freeling is a great pick. He has shown the potential to be a really good NFL-level offensive tackle, but he didn't become a full-time starter until his last year with the Bulldogs.
Freeling has some bad habits that he needs to work on and some good habits he still needs to build before he can be trusted to play tackle in the NFL. He could do both at the guard position, while also providing (short-term and long-term) insurance against an absence from Slater or Alt.
One of the most common negatives you see on his scouting reports is that he's too quick to set his feet, removing his athleticism as a weapon he can use against opposing pass rushers. Putting him at guard in a Mike McDaniel offense would help to build the muscle memory of moving forward and using that athleticism.