Los Angeles Chargers overhaul the trenches, find difference makers for the DL following a trade back in 7-round NFL mock draft

The latest 7-round 206 NFL mock draft completely overhauls the trenches for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers are a team that feels like it is continuing to ascend. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has given the organization a much-needed boost of confidence. They are a team that feels like it is a good offseason away from getting over that hump for a long playoff run.

The 2026 NFL Draft will offer the Chargers a massive opportunity to fill some remaining holes in the roster, even if they don’t hold a ton of overall selections. In my latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft, the exercise started with a trade. From there, it was about strengthening the trenches and getting more physical as a team.

The Los Angeles Chargers trade the No. 22 selection to the Houston Texans for the No. 28 and the No. 69 selections 

Round 1, Pick 28: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State 

At 6-3 and 326 pounds, McDonald is an extremely physical interior presence for a defense. The Chargers need to add a potential difference-maker to their unit at defensive tackle. Even if McDonald never becomes a legitimate pass rush threat, his impact in the run game gives him such a high floor as a football player.

Round 2, Pick 55: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois 

With Khalil Mack getting resigned for another year, the short-term was solidified by pairing him with Tuli Tuipulotu on the edge. Jacas would be a great addition for the long-term outlook for that room. With his physical play style and motor, Jacas can also play early to rush from various alignments to improve that pass rush.

Round 3, Pick 69: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky 

At 6-5 and 312 pounds, Farmer is a powerful offensive guard with tons of upside in a gap scheme. That displacement power offers a ton of upside to create movement at the point of attack. That would be a welcome addition for anybody who watched any Chargers games last season.

Round 3, Pick 86: Connor Lew, OC, Auburn 

If not for the injury during this past season, Lew would have had a good chance to go inside the top-50 overall selections. When healthy, he is a really smooth center prospect with a ton of upside to still tap into. You may have just gotten a future starter near the end of Round Three.

Round 4, Pick 123: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State 

Wheatley’s forty-yard dash time at his Pro Day might scare some people off, but his film should quickly bring you back in. He possesses some impressive range on the back end, having several big-time plays from the depth over the last two seasons. The former Nittany Lion standout has also shown great improvement in terms of physicality.

Round 6, Pick 204: Collin Wright, CB, Stanford

While Wright isn’t an overly dynamic athlete, he is a player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. That is a skill that isn’t talked about enough when evaluating defensive backs. Wright is the type of player who feels like someone who will find a role for a while on the next level.

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