Bolstering the offensive line was a big priority for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chargers have starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater returning from injuries next season, and the franchise signed center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange in free agency this offseason. After the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday, the Chargers have added four more players to its offensive line.
After using their first-round (No. 22) pick on Miami edge Akheem Mesidor, the Chargers turned the focus onto the offensive line, drafting Florida center Jake Slaughter with the No. 63 pick in the second round.
Then, the Chargers drafted Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke, who stands at 6-foot-9 and 325 pounds. Los Angeles traded up with the Houston Texans to acquire the First-Team All-AAC selection.
“Just a massive human being. Huge. Outstanding length. He’s tough, a really tough competitor. What stands out to me is the effort, the finishing ability, nastiness in terms of finishing plays and he’s still got a ton of upside, you know what I mean? He’s only going to get better.
“That’s someone we felt really comfortable with at that point and it’s going to reinforce our offensive line, so we were really excited to get him where we got him,” Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander said, per the team’s official website.
In the sixth round, the Chargers drafted of guards. With the No. 202 pick, Los Angeles selected Boston College guard Logan Taylor and then with the No. 206 pick drafted Oregon guard Alex Harkey.
“Both big frame guys, athleticism, you watch them both and they’re physical,” Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said, per the team’s official website. “There’s some plays that pop in my head with Alex, some kind of wow athletic plays when you’re watching him out in space.
“Then Logan, thinking about the finishing. He started his career at Virginia and worked at tackle, down to guard. A lot of starts in his career and just really like the mentality they both play the game,” Horitz added. “They’re both physical players, come off the ball, finish blocks, sturdy, big men.”
In addition to the four offensive linemen, the Chargers drafted Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson (No. 105), Arizona safety Genesis Smith (No. 131) and South Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett (No. 154).
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