2026 NFL Draft: Ideal picks for the Chargers in Rounds 1-2
NFL Media's Eric Edholm believes this edge rusher and guard would be the ideal targets for the Chargers in the upcoming draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, and the Chargers still have work to do. General manager Joe Hortiz will be responsible for rounding out the rest of the roster. NFL Media's Eric Edholm detailed the ideal first two picks for the Bolts in the upcoming draft.
1st round (22nd overall): EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M The re-signing of Khalil Mack helps the position, but the Chargers need a long-term answer alongside Tuli Tuipulotu. Howell finished the regular season with a conference-leading 11. 5 sacks.
While he doesn't have long arms (30. 25 inches), Howell is an exciting player who displays tremendous acceleration and bend off the edge. 2nd round (55th overall): OL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech Jim Harbaugh hinted at Cole Strange being the starting right guard, but they need competition for Trevor Penning on the opposite side.
Rutledge allowed zero sacks across over 800 snaps in the 2025 regular season, offering the high-level pass protection necessary to keep Justin Herbert clean, while possessing the run-blocking skills and athleticism needed in Mike McDaniel's offense to climb to the second level. This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Looking at ideal fits for Chargers in first 2 rounds of 2026 NFL Draft