Los Angeles could target the Kentucky center as a potential Day 3 selection.
The Los Angeles Chargers could still look to add at the center position, even after signing veteran Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million deal in free agency this offseason.
If they choose to address another need with the 22nd overall pick, such as edge rusher or wide receiver, Kentucky’s Jager Burton could be a Day 3 option to provide insurance at one of the Bolts’ biggest weaknesses last season.
Silas Walker - swalker@herald-leader.comThe 23-year-old Lexington, KY native spent all five seasons of his collegiate career with the Wildcats after redshirting his freshman season in 2021. He allowed 10 sacks and 49 total pressures over that span on 1,476 pass-blocking snaps, while committing 11 penalties on 2,666 total snaps.
This past season as a redshirt senior, Burton allowed just 12 total pressures and did not concede a single sack on 457 pass-blocking snaps, while committing just two penalties on 819 total snaps. He earned a 71.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, ranking 44th among 307 qualifying centers. His pass-blocking grade of 79.5 ranked 59th and his run-blocking grade of 67.5 ranked 56th at the position.
Burton recently participated at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where he measured in at six-foot-four, 312 pounds with 32 1/2-inch arms and 10 1/8-inch hands. He ran a 4.94-second 40-yard dash, a 1.76-second 10-yard split, and posted a 28-inch vertical jump with a nine-foot-three broad jump.
According to Next Gen Stats, Burton’s performance earned him a total score of 66, which ranked ninth among centers. His production score of 54 ranked 10th, while his estimated athleticism score of 96 ranked first at the position.
A durable and steady presence with 47 straight starts, Burton brings experience at both center and guard. He started three games at center and nine at right guard in 2023, started 10 games at left guard in 2024 while missing two games due to injury, and started all 12 games at center in 2025.
Burton is at his best in a zone-heavy scheme where his movement skills and quickness can be maximized. He plays with solid athleticism and functional strength, showing the ability to adjust on the move.
However, he can struggle against longer, more powerful defenders who are able to control contact and disrupt his balance. Improving his ability to stay composed versus power and consistently maintain leverage will be key as he transitions to the next level, where he profiles as a developmental interior lineman with position flexibility.