{"id":680749,"date":"2026-03-26T20:36:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T20:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/680749\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T20:36:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T20:36:20","slug":"chargers-nfl-draft-big-board-day-2-fits-at-guard-edge-wr-and-cb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/680749\/","title":{"rendered":"Chargers NFL Draft big board: Day 2 fits at guard, edge, WR and CB"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this month, we took a look at 14 prospects<\/a> who could make sense for the Los Angeles Chargers at pick No. 22 in the first round.<\/p>\n

With the NFL Draft now exactly four weeks away, we are going to broaden our board and dive into some Day 2 options. The Chargers hold pick No. 55 in the second round and pick No. 86 in the third round.<\/p>\n

Unlike the first two years under general manager Joe Hortiz, the Chargers are entering this draft with some pretty pressing needs. In 2024 and 2025, Hortiz did well to build depth through free agency, and the Chargers were positioned to be flexible early in the draft. The Chargers are not positioned the same way in 2026.<\/p>\n

Though they signed former Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika on Wednesday, they still need to add a guard in the first two days of this draft. The Chargers also need to draft an edge rusher somewhere in the first three rounds to replace Odafe Oweh, who left in free agency.<\/p>\n

With those needs in mind, we will focus our Day 2 board primarily on edge rusher and guard. We will also have some names at two other positions: receiver and cornerback. The Chargers could leave this draft without additions at either position, but some additional competition would be helpful for the roster.<\/p>\n

Guard<\/p>\n

We laid out the dream scenario for the Chargers in our Mock 2.0<\/a> that was published earlier this week: Penn State guard Vega Ioane falling to 22. Ioane is Dane Brugler\u2019s top-ranked guard<\/a>. He started at left guard for the Nittany Lions last season. If the Chargers can draft Ioane in the first round, their offensive line improves dramatically. Currently, Trevor Penning and Awosika are the options at left guard.<\/p>\n

Of course, Ioane might very well be off the board by the time the Chargers are picking in the first round. They need to have contingency options in the second and third rounds. Here are some options.<\/p>\n

Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

Bistontis is Brugler\u2019s No. 2 guard and No. 43 overall player. He started at left guard for the Aggies last season, and I think his athleticism and movement skills will fit into offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel\u2019s rushing scheme. Will Bisontis be there at No. 55 for the Chargers? Should they consider taking him at No. 22 in the first round? Can they trade back either later into the first or into the second and still land Bisontis while picking up some additional capital? All important questions when considering Bisontis.<\/p>\n

Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon<\/p>\n

As the No. 79 overall player, Pregnon is firmly a Day 2 player on Brugler\u2019s board. He is big and powerful with heavy hands, and he has a sudden get-off as a run blocker, especially when pulling. But I would characterize his movement skills as more explosive than smooth. He has the athleticism to get to space, but he is not always consistent in fitting up blocks when he gets there. Pregnon is an aggressive finisher in the run game.<\/p>\n

Jalen Farmer, Kentucky<\/p>\n

If the Chargers miss out on Ioane and Bisontis, Farmer is probably my favorite fit among the remaining Day 2 guards. I see plus movement skills with the capability to reach-block in outside zone schemes. He tested off the charts at the combine, and he takes great angles as a run blocker. Farmer is a weapon as a puller. He shows an athletic base in pass protection. Farmer has decent play strength, but it is clear the Chargers are prioritizing range and athleticism over power at guard in this new offense. Farmer is Brugler\u2019s No. 81 overall player.<\/p>\n

Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

Schrauth is a functional mover with good eyes and awareness in pass protection. I think he lacks some power and pop in the run game, and he struggles to fit up against twitchier players, especially when climbing to the second level. Injuries will be a factor with Schrauth, as he missed time in 2024 with an ankle injury and suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2025. He\u2019s No. 89 on Brugler\u2019s list.<\/p>\n

Other options: Gennings Dunker, Iowa (No. 84 overall); Kage Casey, Boise State (No. 98)<\/p>\n

Edge rusher<\/p>\n

If Ioane is off the board at No. 22, the Chargers should have plenty of options at edge rusher in the first round. We touched on a number of those prospects in our Round 1 big board<\/a>, including Miami\u2019s Akheem Mesidor and Clemson\u2019s T.J. Parker. If the board falls this way, I think the Chargers would be best served taking edge in the first round and addressing guard on Day 2.<\/p>\n

However, if the Chargers do not take an edge in the first round, they will need to fill this need on Day 2. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu are a solid duo. But last year proved that the Chargers require three quality edge rushers to bring their scheme to life. New defensive coordinator Chris O\u2019Leary will be running the same system as Jesse Minter.<\/p>\n

Gabe Jacas, Illinois<\/p>\n

Jacas was my pick at No. 55 in Mock 2.0. I love his violent play style, and I could see the Chargers being intrigued by the way he destroys blocks as a pass rusher and run defender. Of course, the Chargers could seek a different body type to complement the power of Mack and Tuipulotu. But physically imposing players like Jacas tend to have more potential for immediate impact at the next level. Jacas is Brugler\u2019s No. 57 overall player.<\/p>\n

Keyron Crawford, Auburn<\/p>\n

Speaking of different body types, Crawford is a smaller speed rusher who can bend and close on the quarterback. He does not have the size to consistently set the edge in the run game, so he profiles more as a known passing-down player \u2014 at least early in his career. But that skill set would fit into the current room. Crawford plays with an excellent pass-rush motor. As Brugler writes, \u201cHis effort consistently pops.\u201d Crawford is Brugler\u2019s No. 67 overall player.<\/p>\n

\"Keyron<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Keyron Crawford is more of a lean, speed rusher who would be good in known-passing situations. (Justin Ford \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Romello Height, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

Though Height is a very slender edge rusher at 234 pounds, he has real juice. He is slippery and deceptive as a rusher. He looks to be shot out of a cannon coming off the ball, especially when pressing to the outside shoulder of tackles. Brugler put it best: \u201cHeight doesn\u2019t have the size that teams desire for an edge player. But keeping him blocked is easier said than done.\u201d Height is Brugler\u2019s No. 80 overall player.<\/p>\n

Other options: Derrick Moore, Michigan (No. 52); Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (No. 68); LT Overton, Alabama (No. 78); Malachi Lawrence, UCF (No. 93)<\/p>\n

Cornerback<\/p>\n

Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart are all returning in the Chargers\u2019 cornerback room. That is a viable trio, and with Derwin James Jr. continuing to play often in the slot, the Chargers have three capable starters for two outside spots in what should be their most-used package. Still, Benjamin St-Juste left in free agency. And I think the Chargers need a little more competition at this position. I could see them taking a cornerback at any point on the first two days of the draft. Some names for Day 2:<\/p>\n

Keith Abney II, Arizona State<\/p>\n

Abney shows the instincts and trigger that will fit well in some of the zone looks in O\u2019Leary\u2019s scheme. He is quick to diagnose from off alignments, and he flies downhill to make tackles in space. As Brugler writes, Abney is a \u201clittle bit of a wild defender.\u201d But I think the Chargers can harness this play style. Abney is Brugler\u2019s No. 59 overall player.<\/p>\n

Devin Moore, Florida<\/p>\n

Moore is 6 feet 3 and has the size to play physical press coverage at the line of scrimmage. He also looks comfortable in zone coverage, including in the deep part of the field as an outside Cover 3 defender. \u201cHe plays with patience and control to stay on top of routes, both underneath and vertically,\u201d Brugler writes. Moore is Brugler\u2019s No. 73 overall player.<\/p>\n

Chandler Rivers, Duke<\/p>\n

Rivers was my pick at No. 86 in Mock 2.0. He is going to be one of my draft darlings as we continue through this process. Rivers is versatile and a true playmaker in multiple phases. I could see him fitting into numerous roles within O\u2019Leary\u2019s scheme \u2014 outside, nickel, safety. I love him as a blitzer, too. \u201cRivers turns you off with his size, but then immediately draws you back in with his on-field play,\u201d Brugler writes. He is Brugler\u2019s No. 88 overall player.<\/p>\n

Other options: Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (No. 50); Treydan Stukes, Arizona (No. 77); Malik Muhammad, Texas (No. 90)<\/p>\n

Receiver<\/p>\n

The Chargers have a quality collection of young receivers, from Ladd McConkey to Tre\u2019 Harris to Quentin Johnston to KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The big question I have when it comes to receiver with McDaniel: Does he feel like there is a missing ingredient to complete this room?<\/p>\n

The one piece I keep coming back to is an explosive yards-after-the-catch weapon. McConkey can certainly do some of that. Derius Davis is another potential fit, though he struggled with injuries in 2025. There are two prospects in this range that I think can fill this potential hole.<\/p>\n

Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State<\/p>\n

Thompson was my pick at No. 123 in Mock 2.0. He is Brugler\u2019s No. 74 overall player, and he could very well be off the board on Day 2. As Brugler notes, Thompson led the SEC in receiving yards last season. He ran a 4.26 40 at the combine, and I think he provides more than just pure speed. I see some nuance in his route running. \u201cHe is a smaller target but creates big plays at every level of the field,\u201d Brugler writes.<\/p>\n

Zachariah Branch, Georgia<\/p>\n

Branch has the potential to be a YAC monster in the NFL. Georgia used him often as a pre-snap move piece and also got the ball in his hands on screens. As Brugler writes, Branch\u2019s \u201cmanufactured touches allowed him to show off his catch-and-burst ability.\u201d He is a challenge to bring down in the open field. I like his contact balance. He was an elite tester, running a 4.35 40-yard dash and jumping 38 inches in the vertical leap. Branch and McDaniel seem like a perfect match. He is Brugler\u2019s No. 75 overall player.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Earlier this month, we took a look at 14 prospects who could make sense for the Los Angeles…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":680750,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,14288,6,12],"class_list":{"0":"post-680749","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba-draft","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-los-angeles-chargers","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-nba-draft"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/680749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=680749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/680749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/680750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=680749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=680749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=680749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}