Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and it was a wild one for the Chargers.

The Bolts sandwiched the selection of offensive lineman Jake Slaughter between a pair of trades, including one with the Patriots and one with the Browns, on a frenzied but fun night at The Bolt.

Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh held a press conference to recap the night after Slaughter chatted virtually with media members.

Here are five takeaways from Slaughter, Hortiz and Harbaugh after Day 2:

1. Slaughter at guard?

Slaughter played in 51 career games at Florida and made 33 career starts for the Gators, playing every snap of his college career at center.

But Hortiz and Harbaugh made it clear Friday night that they have a position switch in mind for the 23-year-old offensive lineman.

"Do we feel like he can play guard in this scheme? The answer to that question is, 'Absolutely,'" Hortiz said.

Harbaugh added: "Jake's been our top center through the entire process there. With the ability to play guard. At least he'll get a real good, fighting chance to compete for the starting position."

The Chargers currently have Trevor Penning penciled in at left guard while Harbaugh said at the 2026 Annual League Meeting that Cole Strange is the projected starter at right guard.

The Bolts also made a splash before free agency began by signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz to a multi-year contract.

Hortiz was asked directly if the plan was for Slaughter to compete for the starting left guard spot.

"Yes," Hortiz said.

Slaughter, on his virtual media session, said he played guard in practice early in his career at Florida but never appeared there in a game.

"I played a good bit of guard as a young guy in college," Slaughter said. "I fit best at center at school, but, you know, we talked about [guard] at the Combine at the Senior Bowl.

"Just now when they gave me the call like, 'Hey, we're going to go compete, you know, get the best five guys, maybe six guys on the field at once.' Just go compete."

Slaughter later added: "I'm preparing to go be a ballplayer, man. I want to get on the field and go help the team win games."

If (or when) he does move to guard, Slaughter said he "absolutely" would feel comfortable doing so.

So, what makes the Chargers comfortable and confident that Slaughter can excel at a position switch?

Before the draft, Hortiz explained what the Chargers look for when evaluating tackles that can move inside the guard. On Friday night, he went into detail about how a center could kick out to guard.

"You look for plays where he has a man over his hat, right? How does he handle that? How's the anchor? Can he gain leverage? Can he work the angle? And he does all those things," Hortiz said of Slaughter. "Then you watch him get up into space, watch him reach guys at the second level, cut off backside flow, he does all those things extremely well.

"It's what we're going to ask him to do at guard and center here. We feel like he fits the bill for both positions," Hortiz added.

Harbaugh, always one to welcome competitors to the roster, said Slaughter's versatility and skillset will be a boost to the entire offensive line room.

"We project that, at worst if he's not starting at guard, then he'll be the next man in at all three positions — [left] guard, center, [right] guard. That's incredible value," Harbaugh said. "I predict a couple years from now that's going to be a highly valuable player."

"Another guy, just a ballplayer who's willing to work. Just a tremendous fit at a position of need," Harbaugh added. "Also, to have young lineman under contract, that's huge and something we needed."

2. Love Slaughter's leadership

The Chargers obviously loved Slaughter enough to make him a second-round pick.

But the respect was mutual, something Slaughter detailed when chatting minutes after being selected.

"At the Combine, we had a great sit-down formal meeting and I got a feeling everything we just saw eye to eye on it," Slaughter said.

He later added: "You sit down and a guy like Coach Harbaugh, like just how much it matters to him, how much he cares about winning games, how much he cares about guys and who he has in the building. It was awesome to be around somebody like that, that they care like he does."

Hortiz recalled the impression Slaughter made on the Chargers front office and coaching staff at the 2026 Scouting Combine.

"He came into our room in Indy and it was fun watching him and Coach. They were locked in, the two of them," Hortiz said. "Great conversation and you feel his presence. He is a man, he is a dude. And just incredible intelligence.

"I talked to other players at Florida that literally talked about how great of a leader and player he is," Hortiz added. "He's an alpha and you felt it in the room. We walked out of there and were like, 'This kid would be a fun guy to take.'"

Harbaugh added: "A home run pick of Jake Slaughter. We had him on our board much higher ... in our opinion, he's just a real football player."

Slaughter was a two-time team captain at Florida who also earned Second-Team All-American honors in his final two seasons with the Gators. He was also a 2025 First-Team All-SEC selection.

Slaughter was asked about his leadership style in the middle of Florida's offensive line.

"I think I communicated my tail off," Slaughter said. "Everything I did was, 'How can I take care of my guys?'

"That's on the field, make sure we're in the right call, the right everything, making sure we're on the same page," Slaughter added. "And then off the field, I love like having guys over, come cook for them, whatever it had to be. That was how I lived."

The Chargers apparently weren't the only team that were high on Slaughter's leadership skills, as Hortiz shared an insightful anecdote on Friday night.

"A player that, unanimously, scouts, coaches, everyone had pretty much the same exact grade on, which was a high-end grade," Hortiz said. "We got some calls and texts after we took him from other teams, which always makes you feel good.

"You know, 'Damn, you took our guy.' It was fun to hear that," Hortiz added.

A final fun note: each Chargers scout, including Hortiz, gets a single blue star to put by a one player's name during the scouting process. It signifies a player they would love to have in powder blue.

"He was a blue star player for us. He was my blue star," Hortiz said of Slaughter.

3. Trades!

Let's get into the pair of trades Hortiz and the Bolts made on Friday evening.

The first came late in Round 2 when the Chargers sent No. 55 overall to New England for the 63rd overall pick, plus Nos. 131 (fourth round) and 202 (sixth round).

"We were able to trade back and got the same player we would have taken had we just stayed and picked at 55. Picked up two picks, which was exciting," Hortiz said.

Less than two hours later, the Bolts traded with the Browns to move out of Round 3. The Chargers sent No. 86 overall to Cleveland for the 105th pick (fourth round), plus Nos. 145 (fifth round) and 206 (sixth round).

In the span of just over 90 minutes, the Chargers went from having four picks left in the draft to suddenly having seven selections on Day 3.

"We had five picks [entering the draft]," Harbaugh said. "Now we have nine. Pretty cool."

Hortiz entered the press conference room with a wide smile and repeatedly said the word "fun" to describe the way things played out Friday.

"It's fun. We haven't had a chance to do this in two years, add picks like that, so the scouts are excited," Hortiz said. "Talking to coaches, they're fired up. We'll get together up there and start really identifying our targets and get them stacked and have a lot of fun [Saturday]."

Hortiz said Saturday will be an enjoyable yet demanding day for the front office, especially the scouting staff, as they narrow in on players that can make an impact.

"When we traded back, I looked at all the scouts and they were excited because they know what we do now," Hortiz said. "Chris [O'Leary] is going to be in there, Mike [McDaniel] is going to be in there, [Ryan Ficken] is going to be in there, along with Coach and all the scouts.

"We're going to find the guys that we really feel can help up win games this year," Hortiz added.

Harbaugh added "We're still right in it. No deep, long bows. Just grinding. That's what we're doing."

Finally, Hortiz said that nearly every position group is on the table for Day 3 of the draft. Yes, even offensive line after the Slaughter selection.

"The whole offensive line. Tackle, everything. Coach says it, competitors welcome. We want to create the most competitive environment we can out there and that's the more players, the better," Hortiz said.

4. Recent Day 3 track record

Another reason for excitement on Day 3? Hortiz and the front office's track record on the final day of the draft.

The Chargers have been able to add players that have made impact both from the jump as rookies and down the road in the two drafts with Hortiz at the helm of the front office.

But the Chargers General Manager wanted no part in taking all the credit for back-to-back strong Day 3 drafts.

"I believe in the people in the room that are helping make the decision," Hortiz said. "That's the coaches and the scouts and John [Spanos] and Jim.

"My job is to organize it and make the decision on the pick," Hortiz added. "I listen to it and I certainly have a feel for the players, too, but it's all of us."

In 2024, the Bolts added Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, a pair of fifth-round picks who stepped in as rookies and now enter Year 3 fully entrenched near the top of the depth chart at cornerback.

A year ago, Hortiz and his staff took tight end Oronde Gadsden in the fifth round and safety RJ Mickens in the sixth round, two players who elevated into key roles as rookies and are key figures going forward.

That's not even mentioning the likes of Justin Eboigbe and Kimani Vidal, both of whom made massive leaps in their second seasons. Or KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Kyle Kennard, who each enter Year 2 with an ample chance to contribute.

Hortiz gave some insight Friday about the approach to Day 3 and what's allowed the team to add the players they have.

"The board is already set, right? The board is set and then we talk through it," Hortiz said. "Who are the targets? It's a chance for the scouts to talk about the players they really like and really want to go after. They've already gotten them up to the spots they're in, and the coaches, too.

"So, Chris [O'Leary] and Mike [McDaniel] will talk about their vision for each player and their coaches' vision," Hortiz added. "All we really do is spread the board out a little bit. The order stays very similar, it just allows us to emphasize, 'This is how this guy can help us.' It gives us the clearest picture we can have."

Hortiz and the Chargers will have plenty of opportunities on Saturday to add to their list of contributors and are fired up to do so.

"I love the process, I love the enthusiasm everyone has with the process," Hortiz said. "I can't wait to get back up there."

He later added: "We're excited about what we get to embark on [Saturday]."

5. A Day 3 trade up?

The Chargers enter Day 3 with seven picks and are one of four teams — along with the Broncos, Dolphins and Jaguars — that have that many. The Ravens, by the way, lead the way with eight current picks on Saturday.

Hortiz said he could see more wheeling and dealing on Day 3 given the fact the Bolts have a plethora of Saturday selections.

"It gives you more ammo, more trade maneuvering, things to get creative with," Hortiz said.

Does that mean a potential move up on Saturday? Yes.

Plus the possibility of acquiring picks for next year. The Chargers currently have six picks in the 2027 NFL Draft.

"I think we're flexible on both ends," Hortiz said. "I think we can move up. Heck, we might move back and pick up an eighth pick. You never know.

"Future picks. It gives you flexibility, firepower to move up, firepower to gain picks for next year if a team's interested," Hortiz added.

Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft starts at 9 a.m. (PT).