Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers banked one signing a handful of veteran journeyman along the defensive interior this offseason in hopes of getting the most out of them under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. While there was some shaky run defense earlier in the year, the group has settled a bit. Still, the Chargers may want to look at further upgrading the position this offseason and that may include using one of their first few picks in next year’s draft.
In a new 2026 mock draft from Pro Football Focus, NFL analyst Trevor Sikkema have the Chargers doing just that by selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald with the 22nd-overall pick.
“The 6-foot-3, 325-pound nose tackle might be a bit one-dimensional, but that one dimension is elite,: He is sporting an elite 91.1 PFF run-defense grade this season. His 6.4% pass-rush win rate points to him being a run stuffer in the NFL, but that is the kind of player the Chargers need in the middle of their defensive line.”
Through nine games this season, McDonald has 41 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks. In his prior two seasons where he appeared in 20 total contests, he had just two tackles for loss and zero sacks. McDonald has taken his game to the next level in 2025 and his performance for the country’s No. 1 team has got him squarely projected to be a day one pick.
The 6’3, 326-pound defender has excellent size and all the makings of an impact nose tackle at the next level. As Sikkema mentioned above, his run defense is elite and is the trait that will. carry him in the NFL, but his splashes in pushing the pocket and getting into the backfield won’t hurt his stock either.
