Chargers Fix Offensive Line In Latest Mock Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers had the worst offensive line in football last year, and the latest mock draft helps them fix that issue. It’s crazy to think about now, but the Chargers entered 2025 with what should have been an above-average unit. However, injuries to tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, along with underwhelming performances by the interior linemen, had quarterback Justin Herbert running for his life for most of the season. The tackle position will be fine with Alt and Slater back on the field, but something must be done about the guards.

In a recent mock draft, Bleacher Report‘s Brent Sobleski had the Los Angeles Chargers selecting Penn State’s Olaivavega Ionae with the 22nd-overall pick. Ionae should compete for a starting job right away and help Los Angeles finally make a deep playoff run.

“Jim Harbaugh’s approach is about consistently winning at the point of attack and physically grinding down opponents,” Sobleski writes. “…A tone-setter at guard, like Penn State’s Olaivavega Ionae, to go along with those returning tackles will go a long way to improve the Chargers current setup.”

Chargers Draft IOL Olaivavega Ioane In Latest Mock Draft

Jim Harbaugh is an old-school football mind who believes games are won and lost by dominating the trenches. The Chargers couldn’t win in the trenches last year, and Olaivavega Ioane will go a long way in fixing that glaring issue. Listed at 6′-4″ and 323 pounds, the Penn State product knows how to use every ounce of his size to clear out opposing defenders and dominate in the trenches. He plays the game the way you like as well, as he doesn’t shy away from contact and goes out of his way to finish blocks and create as much havoc as possible.

Ioana has the right mindset for a Jim Harbaugh offense, but he’s not a perfect fit for every organization. For one, he’s not the most athletic player and won’t do as well if he’s asked to pull or block out in space. Fortunately, Harbaugh doesn’t ask that of his guards too frequently, and subpar athleticism isn’t a deal-breaker at the position. What is important is that he has experience at both left and right guard and could play either position without any dropoff.

Rebuilding the Offensive Line

One player alone cannot fix the offensive line, but this mock draft will dramatically improve the Chargers situation. Zion Johnson is a free agent, and Mekhi Becton is a cut candidate, and there’s a very real chance both players leave the team in the coming months. Olaivavega Ionae would be an upgrade on either player, but he obviously cannot play both positions.

On top of that, Los Angeles could also use a better center. Bradley Bozeman had a disastrous season last year, and the Chargers must find an upgrade in the coming months. Fortunately, they have over $83.5 million in cap space. They could sign someone like Tyler Linderbaum at center, draft Ioane, and use a mid-round selection to land another guard. If everyone stays healthy and plays up to their potential, Los Angeles could have one of the league’s best offensive lines next year.