Chargers Select 'Work In Progress' In Latest Mock Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers are still looking for their first playoff win under head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert, and fans of the team hope a mock draft can fix their woes. While the roster is far from perfect, they could make a deep run if they make the right additions in the 2026 NFL Draft. Harbaugh believes games are won and lost in the trenches, so it’s no surprise that Bleacher Report‘s Matt Holder believes the team will invest in the defensive line. However, the actual player selected is interesting, to say the least.

In a recent mock draft, Holder has the Chargers selecting Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk with the 22nd-overall pick. While nobody can deny Faulk’s elite athletic upside, he carries more than his fair share of risks.

“Auburn’s Keldric Faulk needs the right fit to maximize his immense potential, because he’s not a true edge-defender, at least not in the traditional sense,” Holder writes. “…Faulk combines upside with the ability to immediately contribute as a starter over Justin Eboigbe. The Auburn product’s pass-rush skills are a work-in-progress, but head coach Jim Harbaugh should be more than excited to work with the 20-year-old’s measurables.”

Chargers Select Auburn’s Keldric Faulk In Latest Mock Draft

Opinions on Keldric Faulk will likely vary dramatically, depending on who you talk to. In terms of raw potential, the Auburn product has a chance to be one of the league’s better pass rushers. While he weighs less than your prototypical defensive lineman, he makes up for it with insane measurables and fantastic athletic gifts. Athleticism is crucial for pass rushers, and Faulk has the raw talent to last in the NFL.

However, having the skills to succeed in the NFL and actually doing it are two completely different things. Faulk doesn’t have a position in the traditional sense, as he’s too small to be a defensive tackle and too unpolished to be a normal edge defender. The right coaching staff could find a way to maximize his physical gifts, but he’d need to land in the right organization. Hopefully, the Chargers can provide that envrionment if this mock draft prediction comes true.

The Depth Chart

It’s easy to see why the Chargers would invest in the defensive line in this mock draft, as they lost several key players over the past month. While they retained Khalil Mack, they watched as Odafe Oweh, Otito Ogbonnia, and Da’Shawn Hand left for greener pastures. With star defensive coordiantor Jesse Minter also leaving for the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles must do something to make up for the lost talent.

Keldric Faulk has the potential to be a high-end starter for years to come, but the production probably won’t come during his rookie year. Fortunately, he’s only 20 and has plenty of time to improve. While he could very well end up a bust, his upside makes him an interesting option as a late first-round pick.