2026 Draft Superthread And Draft Prospect Discussion

[Parcells]

I think you may be assuming too much.

You expect us to sign a good starting FA center, and two good starting FA guards? Let's not forget there will be a LOT of other teams hunting for IOL talent in free agency, and these cats (even some lame ones) are gonna get pricey as hell.

I could easily see us needing to draft a starting guard or center. No way in the world would I view that as a Hortiz "fail".

I like the idea of going into free agency and coming away with a stud IOL (guard or center, another solid starter, and then some depth). There will be solid players there in round 2. It’s not a bad IOL draft. Getting a cost controlled guy that can play decently and between a stud OC like Linderbaum and either Slater or Alt will be great with me. I also think that while it’s a significant investment in the O-line, it doesn’t preclude us from potentially bringing back Owen and even Mack.

[Parcells]

Mack will be back on a one year deal. Oweh will have a backloaded contract, so even if his AAV is $18m a year, his cap hit will be well below that. I very much appreciate how much Hortiz has cleaned up our cap in just two years while at the same time upgrading our talent. But that said, signing some big contracts that will increase in cost as they go isn’t the worst thing in the world. The cap will continue to rise, and then the real secret sauce is to continue to draft well so that you have cheap young talent to replace some of the pricier guys.

[YAC]

Mack will be back on a one year deal. Oweh will have a backloaded contract, so even if his AAV is $18m a year, his cap hit will be well below that. I very much appreciate how much Hortiz

Let's consider together shall we? The Chargers are one of 32 teams. 3% of the league we'll say. Right?

And some would like--or expect-- us to collect 4 of the most coveted 14 free agents? (I know you just mentioned two top defensive FAs, but I'm guessing you also want a premium o-lineman or two?)

That would constitute a 29% bite of the top players, 10x our proportionality. Here's the list of the top expected free agents with estimated contracts. We are in good cap status. Not saying it couldn't possibly happen. I just think we fans can let our eyes get a bit big at the Free Agent Buffet Line. JMO.


OurCutofFA.jpg

[Maniaque 6]

Give me Linderbaum and Oweh and I'm ready for the draft !

[Boltgang74]

I'm kinda hopin we grab a FA Center and Guard plus Oweh

[CanadianBoltFan]

Give me Linderbaum and Oweh and I'm ready for the draft !

My 2 main wishes also

[CanadianBoltFan]

I'm kinda hopin we grab a FA Center and Guard plus Oweh

Even better

[Lone Bolt]

Okay...so been watching the Centers. I got 4 guys I would be comfortable drafting day 2, and starting right away.

1. Jake Slaughter- Experienced, smart, polished...good size and strength, acceptable movement skills...very pro ready...high floor...ceiling a question mark...

2. Connor Lew- Everything above, but better, with a higher ceiling...the real deal...but the knee bothers me. If we had an able center who was a year from retirement, he would be perfect...he is SUPPOSED to be ready by camp...but will you be getting the guy we see on tape year 1?

3. Sam Hecht- Very comparable to Jake Slaughter...but against lesser competition. Colorado game, he had a bad miss in pass pro, and didnt look as good at the second level...but did hold up well vs the 325# NT they lined up on him most of the game...and his other games, his pulling and second level work looked good.

4. Parker Brailsford- My favorite...but ranked 4th for a reason. The glass eating ferocity he brings to every play...and he finishes...plays to the whistle...lotta twitch...or maybe its the effort...and forget about the size...plenty strong. But his all out style gets him in trouble sometimes...over reaches on run blocks, or over shoots his target on the second level. Not always...he does block smarter, not harder, sometimes...but needs to be coached on play to play discipline, EVERY play...to be more measured and consistent.

If we dont sign Lindy, McGovern, or Mays...I like these 4 guys...

Personally, I want front 7 first 2 rounds...and at least 1 of these guys will be around in the 3rd...but hopefully we sign a center, and then I like Brian Parker II, Rutledge...or maybe Bisontis(if we are lucky) in the third...otherwise, these are the only 4 guys I would be comfortable starting next year.

[Boltnut]

Next year? Probably.

DTs take longer to develop in general. To Hortiz, a Super bowl next year would be fanatastic, but he is in it for the long haul and will take the player that has the higher upside, with proper development within their systemm.

The key question is: how impactful will your edge players be? To place them near the level of last year's Mack is being cavalier, presumptuous and unfair to thos guys.
And then there is the rookie wall ... the Chargers only productive full time rookie starters, Caldwell and even Gadsen, hit it ... they peaked at midseason.

An edge player at 22, taking over for Mack, will hit it in force come playoff time.

I've just talked myself into taking Woods or perhaps Hunter
Those guys will rotate in throughout the year and be much fresher come playoff time.

If you take an edge player at #22, in addition you need to bring in a very good free agent not far off from Mack anyhow, that you ideally rent for one year.
Good luck!
Last edited by powderblueboy; 02-08-2026, 11:22 AM.

Last year's DT group was better and deeper than this year's group... and even those guys had dissapointing years. The only one that really performed up to expectations was Walter Nolan. And now you want Woods or Hunter to make an impact... a few years down the line (if ever). Good luck, indeed.

Without TJ Parker's dip in production in 2025, we wouldn't even be talking about him at #22. He'd be Top-15 pick had he duplicated his 2024 production. The information I've read says that he got a lot of double teams this last year. Even without the high sack numbers, he has value... in that he sets a hard edge... something that Mack did for Minter last year. With all of the wide-zone offenses, it's important to have someone out there that is strong against the run. Both Parker and Jacas are the best college players in that respect. That's value. That's impact.

Now, if O'Leary is more focussed on speed and pass rush prowess than Minter was... then Mesidor is probably the #22 target.

We brought in a "very good free agent" in Oweh last year. They spent a 5th rounder on him. He'll get paid for his production... and Tuli will get paid next year. It would be smart to have a rookie at edge this year. You can't pay big dollars for 3 players @the same position, IMO. Always be looking at players at premium positions... in case you can't get them inked at a fair price. The timing is right for edge player @#22... so are the prospects.

[Bolt4Knob]

My 2 main wishes also

I agree with you and Maniaque - -start with Oweh and Linderbaum (or even McGovern or just Center)- and everything else can fall into place -meaning Hortiz can use the rest of free agency to add team build the best. Maybe its not the highest priced but just a mixture of good, solid playuers

[Boltnut]

If Parker is there at 22, then take him. If he’s not, I think you could trade back if possible and still snag Mesidor. But if you stay at 22 and Parker is there, do you go 1st round Parker and 2nd round DT Darrell Jackson Jr. I think they should go DT and Edge in the first 2 rounds. In either order would work depending on value.

I'm not as high on this DT class as most here... which is why I'd take care of the DT rotation in free agency. I think when round 2 rolls around there will be better value than DT Darrell Jackson.

[Boltinloudguy]

I'm not as high on this DT class as most here... which is why I'd take care of the DT rotation in free agency. I think when round 2 rolls around there will be better value than DT Darrell Jackson.

I’m not really high on them, I just like a couple players. You know I’m a huge fan of Lee Hunter. Then Darrell Jackson. Darrell Jackson showed up at both the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl which is why I think he moves up to the 2nd round. Both can play the rune and have pass rushing chops. I think Hunter is quicker but Jackson is more powerful.

I’m just looking at the last 2 SB winners and the Dlines wrecked havoc on the Oline. Those teams were 3-4 deep at DT and or Edge.

Eagles: DTs Carter, Davis, Williams- Edge Sweat, Smith, Graham, Hunt

Seahawks: DTs Reed, Murphy, Williams- Edge Hall, Lawrence, Mafe, Nwosu

I’m trying to find the best possible combo for this team. I’m not against signing players like Settle, Lopez or Rankins. The question is, will they be better than somebody like Lee Hunter or Darrell Jackson moving forward? I honestly don’t know the answer.

If you can resign Hand and bring in Settle, I’d be good with holding off on DT until next year.

So if you take DT off the board as far as draft pick. What positions do you prioritize in the draft?

Edge
OG/C
CB
TE
OT
LB