Guilty As Charged: An LA Chargers Podcast · Blue Wire

Six Chargers 2026 NFL Draft Non-Negotiables

April 3, 2026·1 hr 15 min·6 clips

Steven reveals that 27 of the top 30 edge rushers last season were drafted in the first two rounds.

1. Guilty as Charged, an LA Chargers podcast, covers six draft non-negotiables for the 2026 NFL Draft with hosts Stephen and Tyler. 2. Stephen is the primary host and Tyler is the co-host; both are season ticket holders and the show is sponsored by PrizePix. 3. The episode's central argument is that the Chargers must use their limited five-pick class strategically to address edge rusher, guard, and center depth while trading down to accumulate more selections. 4. The hosts explain that GM Joe Hortiz has traded draft picks for five veteran players: Taylor Heineke, Elijah Molden, Odafe Owe, Trevor Penning, and Austin Dekulis, leaving just five picks in 2026 and 11 over the next two years. 5. Non-negotiable one — trade down anywhere: the hosts argue that acquiring more picks is critical given five picks is insufficient to address all needs, and that the tackle-heavy class means teams like the Cardinals and Browns may want to trade up to pick 22. 6. Non-negotiable two — edge rusher in the first two rounds: Stephen cites a stat that 27 of the 30 top pressure-getting edge rushers last season were drafted in rounds one or two, with the only exceptions being two early third-round picks and a historically anomalous seventh-round pick. 7. With Khalil Mack entering his age-35 season and Joey Bosa on a potentially expiring contract, Bud Dupree is currently the third edge rusher on the depth chart — a situation both hosts describe as untenable for a playoff-caliber team. 8. Stephen's top four edge rusher targets for round one are T.J. Parker (undervalued at mid-thirties in draft media), Mesador (possibly out of range), Mason Thomas (arm length concern dismissed), and Keldrick Falk (traits and run defense praised despite limited production). 9. Round two edge rusher options discussed include Gabe Ackes from Illinois, Derek Moore, Malachi Lawrence (with caveats about recent round-one hype), and Danny Dennis Sutton from Penn State. 10. Non-negotiable three — guard in first two rounds: Trevor Penning is the current starting left guard option and Cole Strange is the only other option, which the hosts call unacceptable and describe as a result of not addressing the need in prior drafts. 11. Jim Harbaugh was quoted at the owner's meeting saying Cole Strange is expected to be the starter but also that 'competitors welcome,' a statement the hosts found inconsistent and insufficiently committed. 12. Guard targets discussed include Caden Proctor (dismissed as not a scheme fit for Mike McDaniel's offense), Spencer Fano (praised highly if he falls, with hosts noting Utah bias), and Jalen Farmer from Kentucky (praised for tape in games against North Carolina and Georgia). 13. Non-negotiable four — center depth: Tyler Biotich, signed on a three-year contract with an easy-exit in 2028, is the starter but has battled lower leg injuries including a season-ending ankle injury; Josh Kaltenberger as the only backup is described as a problem. 14. The hosts argue Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme does not require elite guard play but that providing him average or better guards would maximize the offense with Justin Herbert at quarterback. 15. A recurring theme is the tension between drafting for immediate need versus best player available — the hosts argue the Chargers' roster is good enough that they do not need to reach for positional needs, but the guard and edge rusher gaps are severe enough to justify it. 16. The hosts discuss Spencer Fano potentially falling to a range where the Chargers could select him and call that scenario something they would be 'absolutely over the moon' about. 17. Tyler mentions the 2027 class is reportedly loaded, strengthening the case for trading down in 2026 to accumulate future capital. 18. The tone is analytical and fan-oriented with strong opinions, humor, and occasional chat-room interaction — a weekly format show targeting Chargers fans rather than general NFL audiences. 19. LA Chargers fans preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft who want player-specific analysis and clear priority rankings will find a structured and opinionated breakdown here. 20. Listeners unfamiliar with the Chargers' roster situation or without interest in NFL draft evaluation will find the positional depth discussion difficult to follow without prior context.

As heard by us

A focused Chargers draft discussion that treats guard as an urgent first-two-round roster need.

This Chargers draft discussion holds a single, steady point: guard is framed as a first-two-round need, and everything else in the roster conversation bends around that pressure.

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Why you'd press play

You want a Chargers draft argument that starts with the offensive line and does not let go.

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