Chargers ready to assess college talent at NFL scouting combine

The Chargers have made progress under Jim Harbaugh over the last two years, but it’s worth noting that both seasons ended in the same frustrating fashion.

The disappointing way they were bounced from the playoffs by the Texans and Patriots doesn’t negate the headway the Chargers have made under Harbaugh. But the two first-round losses exposed some flaws that need to be fixed if the club wants to take a significant step forward in 2026.

A few have already been addressed, including the decision to move on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin shortly after the wild-card playoff loss to the Patriots.

Roman was replaced by former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who is expected to breathe life and innovation into an offense that stagnated under Roman. Devlin was replaced by Butch Barry, who worked under McDaniel in the same role in Miami.

Those moves mark the first step in a series of offseason changes designed to improve the infrastructure around quarterback Justin Herbert.

Step 2 is upgrading the personnel, with the offensive line and wide receiver being among the biggest focal points.

As the Chargers’ decision-makers head to Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, here are some areas of improvement they are expected to lock in on:

Offensive line

You can’t tell the story of the Chargers’ offensive struggles last year without pointing out the losses of their two offensive tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Slater missed the season with a knee injury, while an ankle injury limited Alt to six games.

There are very few teams, if any, that can just brush off the loss of two Pro Bowl-level tackles. And while the Chargers managed to win 11 games and advance to the playoffs, the absences of Slater and Alt had a profound effect on why the offense never truly took off, and why Herbert was sacked 54 times and pressured a league-high 268 times.

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But they weren’t the sole reasons, either. Yes, getting them back healthy will help things considerably — but so is making upgrades on the interior, an area the Chargers struggled in at right guard, where free agent pick-up Mekhi Becton never settled in, and at center, where Bradley Bozeman graded out as one of the NFL’s worst pass blockers and was merely average as a run blocker.

Meanwhile, left guard Zion Johnson, who delivered a mixed-bag season as a solid pass blocker but mediocre run blocker, is a free agent.

The Chargers can’t count on the coaching changes fixing the interior issues, so expect activity in both free agency and the draft at that position.

The Chargers will get a good look next week at Penn State’s Vega Ioane, who should be on the board when they select 22nd overall in the first round.

Other interior offensive linemen to keep an eye on are Auburn’s Connor Lew, Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis, Florida’s Jake Slaughter, Kansas State’s Sam Hecht, Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge and Texas A&M’s Ar’maj Reed-Adams.

Depending on who ends up hitting the free agent market, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Bills guard David Edwards and center Connor McGovern all make sense for the Chargers.

Wide receiver

The Chargers have a keeper in Ladd McConkey, and they were pleased with the progress of Quentin Johnston.

But they got very little return in second-round pick Tre’ Harris, nor fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and a decision has to be made on veteran Keenan Allen.

Even if the Chargers ran it back with last year’s group, there is a definite need for a difference-making weapon capable of complementing what is already in place.

Yes, the scouting combine is centered around the draft prospects on hand, but it’s also where the groundwork is laid for free agent signings and trades.

Two veterans make a ton of sense for the Chargers, depending on their health status.

49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has undoubtedly played his last snap with the club, and former Dolphins and Chiefs star Tyreek Hill would both fill a void in Los Angeles. Both fit perfectly in McDaniel’s offense 

—with Hill and McDaniel already teaming in Miami to produce prolific numbers.
Expect some conversations to take place between the Chargers and one or both next week.

Edge rusher

The Chargers face real uncertainty here with Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh both scheduled to hit free agency.

The soon-to-be 35-year-old Mack will be a big re-sign priority, but the Chargers have to be thinking about life without their edge rusher. Whether it’s this season or in a year or two, identifying a defensive end to team up with Tuli Tuipulotu is a must.

They could find some temporary help in free agency, where former Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb is available and has connections to McDaniel.

But it’s a position they can’t ignore in the draft.

Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Clemson’s T.J. Parker and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor could all be options in the first round. All will be in Indianapolis next week.

Additional options including Missouri’s Zion Young, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas, Tennessee’s Joshua Josephs and Texas Tech’s Romello Height will also be at the combine.