2026 Official NFL Draft on ThePowderBlues.com - Day 3, Rounds 4-7

[Formula 21]

The Chiefs GM Leach drafted complete crap, for the most part, the last 3 drafts, but still got very good post draft grades from them.

Belichick was running the team into the ground with his poor drafting at the end .... with some very strange picks .... no one dared say bad things about them

There’s the draft grades that count, wins and losses 3 years down the road.

[Formula 21]

we all knew they HAD to invest heavily in O-line, did I think it would be 4 picks, hell no, I predicted 2 out of the 5 picks we originally had and then fill out the roster in post draft free agency, but I guess that they didn't like what was left in veteran free agency and they REALLY liked what they knew would be available in day 3 of the draft which goes against what Brandt is saying...for the sake of my Chargers I certainly hope your guy is wrong...

In the wrap up presser yesterday, Chad Alexander said something that stood out to me, "We really improved this team today" and all three of them were completely over the moon about the players that they landed in day 3...if the GM and the coaches are all as giddy as that, I tend to think that the pundits might not have all the answers...Joe believes 6 of the 8 guys have starting potential and he doesn't normally throw out that type of stuff...I think he's trying to reassure the fan base not to buy into all the negative bullshit...

The amazing thing to me is that when it was our turn to pick, an OL was BPA on 4 different occasions. How’s that for luck.

[Formula 21]

I’m not buying into the negativity or the giddiness at this point.

The giddiness is much more fun. Take the win when you can.

[Formula 21]

It’s not necessarily about relying solely on the Consensus Board. But it should be part of the equation. It’s also one thing to be off one time by say a 100, but to do it repeatedly raises concerns and is usually why there are staff changes. If Telesco had followed more on the Consensus Board after the 2nd round, maybe we would have gotten more talent and more wins, and he would still be here. I think that’s been the difference between Hortiz and Telesco so far. He’s been less off compared to the Consensus Board.

I agree. You have to draft near the top of the available talent. And watching the draft year after year, the consensus boards are pretty good. But they’re not infallible or you wouldn’t have pro bowlers getting draft late.

[Boltnut]

The amazing thing to me is that when it was our turn to pick, an OL was BPA on 4 different occasions. How’s that for luck.

I had a feeling that would be the case... the 2026 draft was deeper (especially @IOL) than the 2025 draft.
Was it luck... or looking forward...?

Remember, we had Zion on his 4th-year of his contract lat year.
Jared Wilson was the highest rated center last draft... and he didn't even play center his rookie year.
I had Jake Slaughter rated higher than Jared Wilson... but Jake went back to college.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Most have probably heard this by now, but I'll repeat it for anyone who hasn't.

Joe Hortiz said in one of his post-draft pressers that had there been no trade offer for the pick at #55, Jake Slaughter is the player he'd have taken there.

The trade involved moving from #55 to #63-- 8 spots-- and brought the Chargers a 4th round pick (#131- Genesis Smith) and a 6th round pick (#202-- Logan Taylor). Despite moving down 8 spots, Joe Hortiz got the player he wanted.

Smith and Taylor may not amount to anything, but to the extent that they *do* produce for the Chargers, this trade move will appear masterful in the rear view mirror..

[Boltnut]

Most have probably heard this by now, but I'll repeat it for anyone who hasn't.

Joe Hortiz said in one of his post-draft pressers that had there been no trade offer for the pick at #55, Jake Slaughter is the player he'd have taken there.

The trade involved moving from #55 to #63-- 8 spots-- and brought the Chargers a 4th round pick (#131- Genesis Smith) and a 6th round pick (#202-- Logan Taylor). Despite moving down 8 spots, Joe Hortiz got the player he wanted.

Smith and Taylor may not amount to anything, but to the extent that they *do* produce for the Chargers, this trade move will appear masterful in the rear view mirror..

Yeah, I'm not buying the narrative that Slaughter was a PON pick. BPA seems more likely. I had a high grade on him. The fact we bought a safety and extra OG with the trade back was genius.

[wu-dai clan]

Ghost of Quacksaw
Boltnut

Don't forget the trade up to leapfrog others for big bad Burk.

We are free to ask how are Rashawn & Joe A coming along, yet again.

Someone could easily have an injury and overpay for Pipkins later too.

The big picture is that the Chargers have a deep, sustained deep roster moving forward.

Let's see what happens with Tuli, QJ, UFAs with our remaining cap space.

[Boltnut]

Ghost of Quacksaw
Boltnut

Don't forget the trade up to leapfrog others for big bad Burk.

We are free to ask how are Rashawn & Joe A coming along, yet again.

Someone could easily have an injury and overpay for Pipkins later too.

The big picture is that the Chargers have a deep, sustained deep roster moving forward.

Let's see what happens with Tuli, QJ, UFAs with our remaining cap space.

Yeah, if Burk can out-play Pipkins in training camp, Pipkins can be traded for a 2027 draft pick.
Limited tape I've seen from Burk suggests he might be able to beat Pipkins out for OT#3.

We know how valuable swing tackles can be. Might be able to garner a 4th or 5th round pick.
IMO, the OT's got over-drafted in this draft. Hortiz was smart and patient.

Also smart... leaving a good sum of cap to sign free agents at PON's... or using it to extend Tuli.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I had a feeling that would be the case... the 2026 draft was deeper (especially @IOL) than the 2025 draft.
Was it luck... or looking forward...?

Remember, we had Zion on his 4th-year of his contract lat year.
Jared Wilson was the highest rated center last draft... and he didn't even play center his rookie year.
I had Jake Slaughter rated higher than Jared Wilson... but Jake went back to college.

Yep good reference to Jared Wilson, a center who played guard for the Pats last year

[CanadianBoltFan]

Ghost of Quacksaw
Boltnut

Don't forget the trade up to leapfrog others for big bad Burk.

We are free to ask how are Rashawn & Joe A coming along, yet again.

Someone could easily have an injury and overpay for Pipkins later too.

The big picture is that the Chargers have a deep, sustained deep roster moving forward.

Let's see what happens with Tuli, QJ, UFAs with our remaining cap space.

I like that ...we have streamlined from BBBB (Big Bellied Bama Bust) to BBB (Big Bad Burke)

[Riverwalk]

Most have probably heard this by now, but I'll repeat it for anyone who hasn't.

Joe Hortiz said in one of his post-draft pressers that had there been no trade offer for the pick at #55, Jake Slaughter is the player he'd have taken there.

The trade involved moving from #55 to #63-- 8 spots-- and brought the Chargers a 4th round pick (#131- Genesis Smith) and a 6th round pick (#202-- Logan Taylor). Despite moving down 8 spots, Joe Hortiz got the player he wanted.

Smith and Taylor may not amount to anything, but to the extent that they *do* produce for the Chargers, this trade move will appear masterful in the rear view mirror..

There were no other OL taken between 55 and 63 except for the Bears at 57. Logan Jones who coincidentally, is a Center.

So other than the Bears, 8 teams didn’t have IOL as a PON or BPA from 55-63.

Significant due diligence goes into recognizing what other teams need before your pick, so I think it’s more elbow grease than genius.

In all likelihood Joe knew either Logan Jones or Jake Slaughter would be available at 63 and he would have said Logan was their man at 55 if Slaughter was taken by the Bears.

Now the Bears certainly don’t have a slouch for HC/OC so why did he take Logan over Jake is what you should be asking.

And, in the long run, we will have the Logan versus Jake performance measurement stick to evaluate this properly.