The Los Angeles Chargers, to many fans’ dismay, have routinely been floated as an option to draft an offensive tackle as early as the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In his pre-draft press conference, Joe Hortiz reiterated his “best player available” philosophy, making it clear that drafting a tackle to either kick inside or sit for a year behind Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater is a possibility. Here’s what he had to say:

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz does not rule out taking a tackle at 22: “You gotta have tackles”

Mentions the ballooning cost of the position

“If in a perfect world he doesn’t see the field, take the best player available.”

— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) April 16, 2026

In a certain context, this move would make sense. The Chargers lost both Alt and Slater last year to season-ending injuries. Slater tore his patellar tendon in a pre-season practice, and Alt suffered a series of foot and ankle injuries that culminated in surgery after Week 9. Combined with the sub-par play of the interior of the offensive line, these losses were ultimately the catalyst that led to the end of their hopes for Super Bowl contention. Bringing in a tackle to develop as insurance behind their two stars could prevent this from happening in the future.

But Los Angeles currently has just five selections in the 2026 Draft. They have more pressing needs, and with Alt and Slater appearing to be on the right trajectory for the 2026 season, this controversial path should be all but blocked off.

The Chargers can’t afford to use premium draft capital on a tackle if they fully believe they can count on Alt and Slater’s health this season.

If Alt and Slater are healthy, this is not the year to take an offensive tackle

When Alt and Slater both arrived to the first day of the Chargers’ offseason program, the entire fanbase heaved a sigh of relief. If they’re back at full strength, Los Angeles’ outlook for 2026 is much brighter. Per Eric Smith of Chargers.com, here’s what Hortiz had to say concerning their progression through their individual rehab programs:

“I think they’re ahead of schedule… Both are tracking well, and [I’m] looking forward to seeing them out there.”- Joe Hortiz

This is not to say that keeping adequate tackle depth on the roster should not be a priority. The Chargers re-signed Trey Pipkins III this offseason who, barring another pair of freak occurrences, should be capable enough to step up for a few games on either side of the offensive line. If they are able to trade back and amass additional late-round draft capital, it might even be worth taking a swing on a backup-caliber tackle on Day 3.

But the only world in which it would even be remotely reasonable to spend premium draft capital on a tackle is one in which Slater or Alt was not expected to be healthy for 2026.

Sure, taking a player such as Caleb Lomu in the late first-round could be appealing if you’re purely looking at positional value. In any other draft, it’s something that could be on the table. But with the Chargers’ needs at offensive guard and along their defense, it’s time to, hopefully, put this theory to bed.

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