With edge rusher and guard addressed, Chargers can use Day 3 to build depth
The Los Angeles Chargers have emerged from Day 2 of the draft with their two greatest wants stuffed and a totally restored cabinet of picks.
The course of from basic supervisor Joe Hortiz has been very sound.
The Chargers had to discover a third edge rusher to accompany Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. They completed that by drafting Akheem Mesidor at No. 22 within the first spherical.
The Chargers had to discover an offensive lineman who might compete for the beginning left guard spot this season. They completed that by drafting Florida’s Jake Slaughter at No. 63 within the second spherical.
Simultaneously, Hortiz maneuvered to add extra capital on Day 3. He first traded down with the New England Patriots within the second spherical, transferring from No. 55 to No. 63. In return, the Chargers acquired a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder. Hortiz stated the Chargers had been ready to take Slaughter at No. 55. They acquired him as a substitute eight picks later.
Next, Hortiz traded out of the third spherical. He despatched No. 86 to the Cleveland Browns. In return, the Chargers acquired a fourth-rounder, a fifth-rounder and a sixth-rounder.
The Chargers entered this draft with 5 picks. They now have 9, with two of them already spent. They are presently slated for seven picks on Day 3. The remaining tally:
• Fourth spherical: No. 105, No. 123, No. 131
• Fifth spherical: No. 145
• Sixth spherical: No. 202, No. 204, No. 206.
Day 3 prospects are usually very unpredictable. Hortiz, nonetheless, has been impressively profitable over his first two Chargers drafts in these rounds. History tells us the Chargers will discover a number of contributors on Saturday.
In 2024, Hortiz drafted defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe within the fourth spherical, cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart within the fifth spherical and operating again Kimani Vidal within the sixth spherical. In 2025, Hortiz drafted tight finish Oronde Gadsden and receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith within the fifth spherical and security RJ Mickens within the sixth spherical.
Heading into this draft, the Chargers had been going to be restricted in what positions they addressed. Now, they can add depth up and down the roster on Day 3. They can draft a receiver. They can draft a cornerback. They can draft an inside defensive lineman. They can draft a security. They can draft a good finish. They can add one other piece to the offensive line, like a deal with. And they’d nonetheless have a decide left over.
“The scouts were excited,” Hortiz stated of his strikes.
Slaughter’s match at left guard requires some projection. He was solely a middle in faculty. On Friday night time, Slaughter stated he did follow at guard early in his Florida profession. He additionally took reps at guard through the Senior Bowl in January, however by no means performed guard in a sport.
As such, there may be some inherent danger on this decide. The Chargers, although, imagine he’s a match at guard in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Slaughter may be very athletic. He has the vary the Chargers are in search of within the run sport, each when transferring laterally and climbing to the second degree.
(*3*)Slaughter was additionally Hortiz’s “blue star” prospect. This is a follow Hortiz introduced with him from the Baltimore Ravens. Each Chargers scout receives one blue star to hand out to a single prospect in a draft. Hortiz used his blue star on Slaughter this yr.
Back when Hortiz first began scouting in Baltimore, the Ravens used bodily playing cards for the prospect stories, and the “blue star” indicator was a present sticker. Now, with the Chargers, these stories are all digital.
But the that means is similar: This is my man.
Hortiz stated the Chargers had a proper assembly with Slaughter on the mix.
“He’s an alpha, and you felt it in the room,” Hortiz stated. “Walked out of there in Indy and it was just like, man, this would be a fun guy to take.”
The success of this decide, as with all picks, can be decided on the sector.
Hortiz has drafted effectively sufficient up to now with the Chargers to earn the advantage of the doubt.
“We’ve had long discussions in the process: Do we feel like he can play guard in this scheme?” Hortiz stated. “The answer to that question is absolutely.”
The Slaughter decide is one other guess on McDaniel. Hortiz stated the offensive coaches are “excited about him.” McDaniel has been the driving drive in so many offseason strikes, from heart Tyler Biadasz to guard Cole Strange to operating again Keaton Mitchell to fullback Alec Ingold to tight finish Charlie Kolar.
McDaniel is aware of what he wants alongside the offensive line, and the Chargers are trusting that imaginative and prescient.
The plan, in accordance to Hortiz, is for Slaughter to compete for the left guard spot with Trevor Penning. Coach Jim Harbaugh instructed Slaughter has “a real good fighting chance” to win that battle. Harbaugh additionally famous that Slaughter fills a gap because the backup heart behind Biadasz.
The Chargers had conviction within the participant. They confirmed the mandatory intention. They invested in additional expertise in entrance of quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Chargers is not going to enter the season with Penning, Kayode Awosika and Branson Taylor because the lone choices at left guard. They did not kick the can down the street.
“He can do it,” Hortiz stated of Slaughter transferring to guard. “He can develop and continue to get better at it and get more comfortable at it.”
The draft is now vast open for the Chargers. They can go in so many alternative instructions with their picks on Saturday, attempting to find worth as they build out depth. They have the “firepower,” as Harbaugh put it, to transfer up for the correct participant. They can additionally commerce again or out to decide up future capital.
“Things to get creative with,” Hortiz stated.
Edge? Check. Left guard? Check.
Now, Hortiz can cook dinner on the day of the draft he loves most.
“Tomorrow is going to be a fun day,” he stated.
