Are Chargers drafting a tackle at 22?

Chargers’ pre-draft dilemma at No. 22

With the 2026 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, the Los Angeles Chargers’ plans at No. 22 are at the center of a growing pre-draft debate. The core question is whether the team would actually prioritize a tackle at that spot—an investment that can signal either an urgent need on the offensive line or a bet on immediate impact.

Alongside that storyline is a separate but related roster question: whether wide receiver Quentin Johnston is a trade candidate. The timing matters because teams often use the lead-up to draft week to clarify both their internal plans (who they’re targeting at each pick) and whether they’re willing to reshape the roster via trade rather than solely through selections.

What makes the Chargers’ situation notable is that the draft is approaching as a roster-building moment that will be defined by how general manager Jim Harbaugh’s club allocates its five picks. If a tackle is in play at No. 22, it would suggest the Chargers view their line as a priority area. If not, it could mean they’re willing to address protection later—or allocate that early pick toward a different position of need.

The trade chatter around Johnston adds uncertainty, because a move would potentially change how the Chargers value offensive skill positions before the draft. In short, draft-week answers hinge on two decisions: whether No. 22 is earmarked for an offensive line piece, and whether Johnston’s role is best handled via the trade market rather than a new rookie contribution.