Chargers give new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel what he needs to succeed in Los Angeles in a new 2026 NFL mock draft

A new 2026 NFL mock draft has the Chargers avoiding a flashy move and instead giving Mike McDaniel something he needs for his scheme to work in LA.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Chargers new offensive coordinator
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The Los Angeles Chargers arguably landed the biggest fish on the market as their new offensive coordinator by hiring former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. For this pairing to reach the heights many believe it can, some changes are needed, though.

The Chargers will have multiple opportunities to do just that this offseason. They will have multiple solid options to consider in free agency and in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, not all the additions need to be flashy moves to be considered a win for the team.

In a new A to Z Sports 2026 NFL mock draft, the Chargers live by that philosophy. They don’t swing for a skill player; instead, they give McDaniel and Justin Herbert what they honestly need most to be successful in 2026. 

Chargers select Penn State star guard Olaivavega Ioane in a new 2026 NFL mock draft

“The Chargers checked their biggest need, protection for Justin Herbert, off the list, and they added a physical guard to help get their contention window back on track. Ionae is one of the best run blockers in the class and will be a nasty addition to Mike McDaniels’ run scheme.” – JT Ruhnke, A to Z Sports Tennessee

Despite having one of the worst offensive lines in football last season, the Chargers still went 11-6 and earned a playoff spot in the AFC. So if they can improve that group in addition to hiring McDaniel, that alone would be a very successful offseason. In this mock, they landed Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, who is ranked as the top interior lineman in the class by a large portion of draft analysts. 

With the Chargers losing their star tackle duo, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, to season-ending injuries in 2025, adding Ioane would essentially give the team three upgrades over their 2025 roster. It isn’t a flashy move like adding a pass-catcher for Herbert, but it just might be the best way to keep Herbert healthy and help McDaniel get the most out of his creative run scheme. 

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