Beau Stephens Could Emerge as a Late-Round Guard Target for the Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers could still look to add at the guard position, and if they choose to address another need such as edge rusher or wide receiver with the 22nd overall pick, Iowa's Beau Stephens could be a Day 3 option to help bolster the interior offensive line.

Los Angeles recently signed LG Trevor Penning to a one-year, $4.5 million deal this offseason, and given Penning’s inconsistent production in recent seasons, the Bolts may need another option at the position later in the year to maintain stability.

The Bolts also added veteran guard Cole Strange, who agreed to a two-year, $13.5 million deal. He brings experience, but injuries can always shake up the depth chart. In either scenario—whether Penning struggles to reach his potential or an injury sidelines him or Strange—Stephens could serve as a reliable fallback option and potentially develop into a future starter.

The 23-year-old Blue Springs, Missouri native spent five seasons at Iowa after redshirting his freshman season in 2021. Stephens earned First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team All-American honors in 2025 after not allowing a single sack or hit, surrendering just four pressures across 304 pass-blocking snaps.

His 87.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked third among 686 qualifying guards, while his 92.5 pass-blocking grade ranked first and his 85.1 run-blocking grade ranked fifth at the position. Stephens also did not commit a single penalty across 682 total snaps.

Stephens recently participated in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where he measured six-foot-five, 315 pounds, with 31 1/8-inch arms and 9 1/4-inch hands. He posted a 5.35-second 40-yard dash, a 1.82-second 10-yard split, a 28-inch vertical jump and an eight-foot-six broad jump.

According to Next Gen Stats, Stephens' performance earned him a total score of 72, ranking 11th among participating guards, while his production score of 71 ranked 10th and his estimated athleticism score of 64 ranked 19th at the position.

He shows strong timing, balance and technique with starter upside, but his lack of length, average athleticism and scheme dependence could affect his transition and overall draft positioning.

For Los Angeles, Stephens would make sense as a late-round pick to provide depth and insurance along the interior offensive line. Starting the year on the scout team would allow him to develop within the Chargers’ system and acclimate to NFL speed without immediate pressure, while positioning him as a potential contributor if the team needs reinforcements at the guard position.