The Los Angeles Chargers have emerged from Day 2 of the draft with their two biggest needs filled and a fully restocked cupboard of picks.
The process from general manager Joe Hortiz has been very sound.
The Chargers had to find a third edge rusher to accompany Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. They accomplished that by drafting Akheem Mesidor at No. 22 in the first round.
The Chargers had to find an offensive lineman who could compete for the starting left guard spot this season. They accomplished that by drafting Florida’s Jake Slaughter at No. 63 in the second round.
Simultaneously, Hortiz maneuvered to add more capital on Day 3. He first traded down with the New England Patriots in the second round, moving from No. 55 to No. 63. In return, the Chargers received a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder. Hortiz said the Chargers were prepared to take Slaughter at No. 55. They got him instead eight picks later.
Next, Hortiz traded out of the third round. He sent No. 86 to the Cleveland Browns. In return, the Chargers received a fourth-rounder, a fifth-rounder and a sixth-rounder.
The Chargers entered this draft with five picks. They now have nine, with two of them already spent. They are currently slated for seven picks on Day 3. The final tally:
• Fourth round: No. 105, No. 123, No. 131
• Fifth round: No. 145
• Sixth round: No. 202, No. 204, No. 206.
Day 3 prospects are typically very unpredictable. Hortiz, however, has been impressively successful over his first two Chargers drafts in these rounds. History tells us the Chargers will find multiple contributors on Saturday.
In 2024, Hortiz drafted defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe in the fourth round, cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart in the fifth round and running back Kimani Vidal in the sixth round. In 2025, Hortiz drafted tight end Oronde Gadsden and receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the fifth round and safety RJ Mickens in the sixth round.
Heading into this draft, the Chargers were going to be limited 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 interior defensive lineman. They can draft a safety. They can draft a tight end. They can add another piece to the offensive line, like a tackle. And they would still have a pick left over.
“The scouts were excited,” Hortiz said of his moves.
Slaughter’s fit at left guard requires some projection. He was exclusively a center in college. On Friday night, Slaughter said he did practice at guard early in his Florida career. He also took reps at guard during the Senior Bowl in January, but never played guard in a game.
As such, there is some inherent risk in this pick. The Chargers, though, believe he is a fit at guard in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Slaughter is very athletic. He has the range the Chargers are looking for in the run game, both when moving laterally and climbing to the second level.
Slaughter was also Hortiz’s “blue star” prospect. This is a practice Hortiz brought 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 year.
Back when Hortiz first started scouting in Baltimore, the Ravens used physical cards for the prospect reports, and the “blue star” indicator was an actual sticker. Now, with the Chargers, those reports are all digital.
But the meaning is the same: This is my guy.
Hortiz said the Chargers had a formal meeting with Slaughter at the combine.
“He’s an alpha, and you felt it in the room,” Hortiz said. “Walked out of there in Indy and it was just like, man, this would be a fun guy to take.”
The success of this pick, as with all picks, will be determined on the field.
Hortiz has drafted well enough so far with the Chargers to earn the benefit of the doubt.
“We’ve had long discussions in the process: Do we feel like he can play guard in this scheme?” Hortiz said. “The answer to that question is absolutely.”
The Slaughter pick is another bet on McDaniel. Hortiz said the offensive coaches are “excited about him.” McDaniel has been the driving force in so many offseason moves, from center Tyler Biadasz to guard Cole Strange to running back Keaton Mitchell to fullback Alec Ingold to tight end Charlie Kolar.
McDaniel knows what he needs along the offensive line, and the Chargers are trusting that vision.
The plan, according to Hortiz, is for Slaughter to compete for the left guard spot with Trevor Penning. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Slaughter has “a real good fighting chance” to win that battle. Harbaugh also noted that Slaughter fills a hole as the backup center behind Biadasz.
The Chargers had conviction in the player. They showed the necessary intention. They invested in more talent in front of quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Chargers will not enter the season with Penning, Kayode Awosika and Branson Taylor as the lone options at left guard. They did not kick the can down the road.
“He can do it,” Hortiz said of Slaughter moving to guard. “He can develop and continue to get better at it and get more comfortable at it.”
The draft is now wide open for the Chargers. They can go in so many different directions with their picks on Saturday, hunting for value as they build out depth. They have the “firepower,” as Harbaugh put it, to move up for the right player. They can also trade back or out to pick up future capital.
“Things to get creative with,” Hortiz said.
Edge? Check. Left guard? Check.
Now, Hortiz can cook on the day of the draft he loves most.
“Tomorrow is going to be a fun day,” he said.
