The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is in the rearview mirror.
After a full week at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Chargers and the rest of the NFL completed another major step in the pre-draft process with the drills and meetings with the prospects.
Free agency could surely change things, but Pro Football Focus outlined one of the best-case scenarios for the Bolts when the NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh in late April.
PFF analyst Ryan Smith unveiled what he believes is each AFC team's goal and ideal situation when their first-round pick is on the clock — which includes improving the interior of the offensive line.
More specifically, Smith believes selecting Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with their first pick would be the home run scenario as he would be a high-level addition to the unit.
Smith wrote:
The Chargers had a very strong offensive line on paper heading into the 2025 season but were without standout tackles Rashawn Slater (all season) and Joe Alt (all but six games). As a result, Los Angeles was the league's worst pass-blocking team (47.6) and allowed pressure on 37% of dropbacks, the highest rate in the NFL.
While Slater and Alt will be back in 2026, the interior offensive line still has its concerns, as no team gave up more interior pressures during the regular season. Olaivavega Ioane has experience at both guard spots and allowed no sacks at Penn State over the last two seasons.
Ioane took part in this weekend's workouts in Indianapolis and showed why he's the consensus top interior offensive line prospect in this class.
In fact, he is NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah's top overall offensive line prospect at No. 11 overall, while The Athletic Dane Brugler’s No. 13 overall player.
With Ioane's ability to be stellar in pass protection in the run game, Smith believes he would be a perfect fit for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's offense.
Smith wrote:
A safe bet to be a quality starting-caliber guard in the NFL, the Chargers would be on the short list for best offensive lines in the NFL for years to come with Ioane in the mix. He would give new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel another tool at his disposal as he looks to unleash the Chargers offense in 2026.
