Chargers mock draft 4.0: A best guess at how Los Angeles will approach its 10 picks

NFL Draft week is here, and it is time to set predictions in stone.

This is mock 4.0, my final Los Angeles Chargers mock draft of the offseason and my best guess at what general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh will do with their 10 picks.

Chargers’ draft picks

Round 1, Pick 22: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Hortiz did a commendable job of building out his roster through free agency, and that has made projecting the Chargers’ first-round pick a challenging exercise. I truly feel like they could draft any of seven positions: receiver, tight end, interior offensive line, interior defensive line, edge rusher, cornerback or running back. In the end, I made myself a promise for this year’s final mock: Don’t overthink it. The Chargers need playmakers in the passing game, and Egbuka is a clean prospect who will immediately improve the receiver room. I think he has enough in his game — namely his route running and his hands — to play outside at the next level.

A lot, of course, depends on how the board falls. Perhaps a better player than Egbuka will be available when the Chargers are up at No. 22, like Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan or Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. We will see come Thursday. I do wonder what the Chargers’ options will be if they do not take a receiver in the first round. Jayden Higgins is an intriguing prospect as an outside receiver in the second round, but he might be off the board by No. 55. Tory Horton is another possibility in the third round. To me, pass catcher is too big of a need to not address it with a really capable player in the first round.

Round 2, Pick 55: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

I do not think the Chargers have done enough to improve the interior of their offensive line. They did sign Mekhi Becton in free agency to start at right guard. They have options at center between Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman and Andre James. I have concerns about left guard. The Chargers lost to the Houston Texans in the playoffs primarily because they could not protect Justin Herbert. I think they need to find a potential starter at left guard in the draft. Ratledge was a right guard at Georgia, and I think he is very capable in pass protection.

This is from our draft expert Dane Brugler: “Ratledge is a self-described ‘dirtbag’ with the contact power, competitive edge and functional movement skills to match up against NFL defensive linemen.”

Round 3, Pick 86: Ty Robinson, DL, Nebraska

The Chargers need to come away from the first two days of the draft with an interior defensive lineman. I considered some possibilities in the first and second rounds. Robinson has a play style and motor that will be very appealing to Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. He had 12 1/2 tackles for loss and 42 pressures in 2024. I think he has a well-balanced game. He can penetrate and make plays as a run defender and pass rusher. He has the play strength to take on double-teams from multiple alignments. The Chargers are missing an impact player at this position after losing Poona Ford in free agency. Robinson would have a chance to carve out an immediate role.

“Rugged competitors with his size, toughness and ability never go out of style in the NFL,” Brugler writes.

Round 4, Pick 125: Kyle Kennard, edge, South Carolina

With Khalil Mack on a one-year deal and Bud Dupree on the final year of his contract, the Chargers need to be thinking long-term at edge rusher. If they do not draft an edge rusher this year, they will be heading into 2026 with only Tuli Tuipulotu as a reliable piece in that room. Kennard has outstanding length and a quick, fierce get-off.

From Brugler: “Kennard has work to do developing his counters and becoming more consistent on run downs to reach his NFL potential, but he brings energetic speed of the edge when he can pin his ears back.”

Round 5, Pick 158: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame

I mocked Evans to the Chargers in the fourth round of my mock 3.0, and I am sticking with him, just a round later. I think the Tyler Conklin signing in free agency gives the Chargers some breathing room to wait on tight end, though they could absolutely draft one earlier. The room needs a field-stretching option that can stress defenses down the seam. I think Evans can bring that element.

Round 6, Pick 181 (via NE): Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

The Chargers signed Najee Harris in free agency to be their workhorse. What they need to complement Harris is some juice at the position. Smith is a converted receiver who can be a weapon in space and the open field. He has 19 plays of 20 or more yards, which ranked in the top five among FBS running backs, according to Brugler. He finished 2024 with nearly 1,700 scrimmage yards and 18 total touchdowns.

“Given his versatility as a runner and receiver, he has the upside of a dynamic role player who can be flexed across the offense and affect the defensive game plan,” Brugler writes.

Round 6, Pick 199: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers

Longerbeam is one of my favorite Day 3 players, and I think he is a really good fit for Minter’s defense. I mocked Longerbeam to the Chargers at this exact spot in mock 2.0. He has a small frame at under 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, but I love his coverage instincts, particularly in zone.

“Longerbeam is lean and underpowered, which won’t be easy to mask against NFL size. His speed and athletic instincts are NFL-level quality, however, giving him a chance to earn a long-term role,” Brugler writes.

Round 6, Pick 209: Craig Woodson, S, Cal

Alohi Gilman is in the final year of his deal, and I think the Chargers should be looking for a fourth safety to challenge Tony Jefferson for a 53-man roster spot. Woodson started 38 games for Cal over the past three seasons. He had really solid ball production in that span, with 21 passes defended and five interceptions. He also played 450 special teams snaps in college, which is a key data point for any Day 3 prospect.

Brugler writes that Woodson is “at his best in short zones or split-safety alignments, where he can maintain spacing and drive on the football.”

Round 6, Pick 214: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington

Bruener was the No. 214 pick in my mock 3.0. The Chargers need to add capable special teams players for coordinator Ryan Ficken. Bruener had 23 special teams tackles in his career.

Round 7, Pick 256: Zemaiah Vaughn, CB, Utah

I always like to bet on traits at cornerback at this stage of the draft. Vaughn is over 6-foot-2 and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at his pro day. The Chargers are a zone-heavy defense under Minter, and Vaughn could be a fit for the scheme.

“Vaughn allows too much separation in man, but he is long and fast and has upside as a corner in Cover 3, where he could read and react,” Brugler writes.

(Photo of Emeka Egbuka: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)