Should the Chargers select Lee Hunter in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The most dominant player at the Senior Bowl thus far has been Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter. The Mobile, AL native has been unblockable in his hometown. This is outstanding news for Los Angeles Chargers fans, as he would fill a major positional need. He may still not be at the top of their board, but he should be an option at pick 22.
Hunter to the Chargers isn’t an uncommon projection. In fact, Daniel Jeremiah predicted it in his most recent mock draft on Monday, January 26. He had this to say about the selection in his article.
“Hunter is one of my early draft crushes. He has outstanding size, quickness, and the ability to disrupt,” Jeremiah wrote, “With Teair Tart due to become a free agent, Hunter would provide some insurance.”
It’s important to note that Teair Tart signed a three-year extension after Jeremiah released this piece. That will push the need at interior defensive line down the list, but it’s still an option early in the draft.
Chargers fans had a mixed reaction to this, as the offensive line is a vital need. A key reason for their postseason difficulties has been their inability to protect Justin Herbert. It would be wise to address this position early, but they could opt for a free agent signing and drafting one in a later round instead.
Hunter has been destroying the competition at the Senior Bowl. He popped on day one, as he was unblockable in the run game. He has an outstanding first step and great agility despite being 6-foot-3, 320 pounds. This, combined with his excellent hand usage, makes it a nightmare for someone to block.
He’s an amazing athlete, but Hunter’s power is unmatched. He excels at gaining leverage and using his leg drive to push defenders back. It isn’t rare for him to nudge the lineman back straight into the quarterback/runningback. Additionally, he’s unmovable against double teams and constantly clogs up the middle of the field.
Hunter’s dominant in the run game, but flashes major potential as a pass rusher. He racked up 2.5 sacks and 26 pressures in 2025, which isn’t anything special, but is much more productive on film. His elite burst and quickness, paired with his pure power while bullrushing, give him all-pro upside. He still isn’t a polished pass rusher, needing to develop a plan more consistently, but this is teachable with NFL coaching.
Overall, Lee Hunter still may not be the Chargers number one option at pick 22, but he’s an intriguing player who has sky-high upside. He’s been dominating at the Senior Bowl and has physically outclassed everyone he’s faced. His stock was high entering Mobile, but is exponentially rising after his performance this week.