2026 Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

Draft Capital: 9 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: July 20, 2026

Overview

Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 9 selections. Biggest needs: Offensive Tackle, Defensive Line, Defensive Line.

Complete Draft Class:

Round 1 (#26): Carter Smith, Offensive Tackle,

Indiana

— Grade B+

Round 2 (#58): Jordan Ross, Edge Rusher,

LSU

— Grade B-

Round 4 (#113): Mateen Ibirogba, Defensive Line,

Texas Tech

— Grade C

Round 4 (#126): Kip Lewis, Outside Linebacker,

Oklahoma

— Grade C

Round 4 (#133): CJ Fite, Defensive Line,

Arizona State

— Grade C-

Round 4 (#140): DJ McKinney, Cornerback,

Notre Dame

— Grade C

Round 5 (#166): Ian Foster, Safety,

Memphis

— Grade C-

Round 7 (#246): Griffin Wilde, Wide Receiver,

Northwestern

— Grade C-

Round 7 (#252): Daniel Hill, Running Back,

Alabama

— Grade C-

View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →

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Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis

Pick #26 - Los Angeles Chargers: Carter Smith, Offensive Tackle,

Indiana

Rank: #23 overall | Grade: B+ Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Los Angeles Chargers desperately needed Offensive Tackle help (need #1), and Carter Smith was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

Carter Smith brings immediate impact to Los Angeles Chargers. Carter Smith has been the constant on Curt Cignetti's Indiana turnaround, anchoring left tackle for three straight seasons after redshirting in 2022 and turning down a quick trip through the transfer portal once Bob Bostad sold him on staying. He pro... His best trait—three-year lt starter with 36+ consecutive starts and 2,644+ college snaps—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Braden Smith (strain, hand strength, scheme-fit RT/G)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Three-year LT starter with 36+ consecutive starts and 2,644+ college snaps

Weaknesses: Mediocre arm length leaves him stacked at the fingertips against long-armed edge rushers

NFL Comp: Braden Smith (strain, hand strength, scheme-fit RT/G)

Full scouting report for Carter Smith → | See Los Angeles Chargers 7-round draft →

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Pick #58 - Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Ross, Edge Rusher,

LSU

Rank: #52 overall | Grade: B- Why This Pick:

Addresses key depth concern. While Edge Rusher wasn't the top priority, Jordan Ross's talent at #52 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.

The Fit:

Jordan Ross brings immediate impact to Los Angeles Chargers. Jordan Ross arrived in college football as the consensus top edge rusher in the 2024 recruiting class, a consensus five-star prospect out of Vestavia Hills (AL), and he is now a 2027 NFL Draft eligible prospect after transferring from Tennessee to LS... His best trait—twitchy, sudden get-off that wins the corner before tackles can set hands—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Will Anderson Jr. lite, similar bend/length but lighter anchor-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Twitchy, sudden get-off that wins the corner before tackles can set hands

Weaknesses: Thin lower half at 245

NFL Comp: Will Anderson Jr. lite, similar bend/length but lighter anchor

Full scouting report for Jordan Ross → | See Los Angeles Chargers 7-round draft →

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Pick #113: Mateen Ibirogba (Defensive Line,

Texas Tech

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #126: Kip Lewis (Outside Linebacker,

Oklahoma

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #133: CJ Fite (Defensive Line,

Arizona State

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #140: DJ McKinney (Cornerback,

Notre Dame

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #166: Ian Foster (Safety,

Memphis

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #246: Griffin Wilde (Wide Receiver,

Northwestern

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #252: Daniel Hill (Running Back,

Alabama

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

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Draft Class Summary

Overall Grade: B | 8 positions addressed across 9 picks.

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