The Los Angeles Chargers made eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, with half the draftees being offensive linemen.
Justin Herbert was one of the most sacked and pressured quarterbacks last season, with his starting center and right guard given the worst and third-worst overall grades (Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton).
LA added some help through free agency with the additions of Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange, but needed depth after injuries battered the front five in 2025.
With necessary reinforcement, an ESPN analyst drops a prediction about the first offensive lineman taken by the Bolts, Jake Slaughter.
Chargers’ Second Round Selection Receives Bold Prediction
GettyFormer Florida center Jake Slaughter.
Jake Slaughter received a 79.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for his performance in the 2025 season, ranking him the 8th-highest center in the nation. The center had an 84.1 pass block grade and 80.2 run block grade, ranking him the 18th and 3rd-best, respectively, in both categories.
With the college experience and the talent, Slaughter will provide the Los Angeles Chargers with some much-needed help after how 2025 went for the franchise.
ESPN draft analyst Field Yates predicts Slaughter will be an immediate impact starter for the Chargers in his rookie season.
“Every one of Slaughter’s 2,053 college snaps came at center, but he projects to play right away at guard for the Chargers after they signed center Tyler Biadasz in free agency,” Yates wrote.
“Slaughter is tough and rugged while possessing the lateral quickness to excel in a zone-blocking scheme. He’s one of four linemen the Chargers drafted and should make an instant impact.”
Joe Hortiz believes Slaughter could switch to guard in the offensive scheme, saying, “Absolutely.”
There will be a transition period where Salughter will have to get used to a position he has not played before, but he has said he will do everything he can to be the best version of himself.
“It was a good start today,” Slaughter said after the start of the rookie minicamp. “And something I’ve been working at, cross-training a little bit more and more, so I’m excited… It’s a fun challenge.”
While Jake Slaughter is headed in the right direction to become a guard, the offensive lineman will have some competition before getting a starting role.
Competition At the Right Guard Spot
GettyThe Chargers add Cole Strange to the squad on a two-year deal
As noted above, the Los Angeles Chargers added Cole Strange to the squad — on a two-year deal — to reunite with his former head coach, Mike McDaniel.
At the NFL Annual Meeting, head coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned that the expectation is for Strange to be the starter at right guard in the 2026 season.
With Jake Slaughter added to the mix and unlikely to dethrone $30 million signing Tyler Biadasz as the starter at center, the rookie will have to be rotated around the offensive line, with Slaughter being in line for an opportunity at right or left guard.
“Competitors welcome, you know how I feel about that. There’s more to come,” Harbaugh said, via the Chargers. ”
If Jake Slaughter has a strong training camp, he could be in line for a starting job in his rookie season.
ESPN Analyst Drops Bold Prediction for Chargers Second Rounder