Chargers Set to Double Down on Offensive Line Investment Under Jim Harbaugh

The Chargers have leaned heavily into improving their offensive line in the draft since head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former quarterback who suffered more than his share of sacks and big hits in his career, took over the franchise. 

It’s a trend that is quite likely to continue again this year.

Multiple execs from teams picking in the back half of the first round, like the Chargers, told me they are mocking offensive linemen to that franchise as those men gather intel and try to piece together a full picture of which players are likely to be available to them when they select. 

Nothing about this is guaranteed, of course, but there are certain core beliefs that tend to rule the day with certain decision makers and keeping franchise quarterback Justin Herbert as healthy as possible is a must for the Chargers.

Injuries to both starting tackles detailed their 2025 campaign and there is a strong believe in the scouting community that Harbaugh will keep adding to the line of scrimmage on that side of the ball, with the defense already making great strides since he arrived (though the loss of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could loom large).

Old Habits Die Hard

"I have him going OL,” one veteran personnel executive told SportsBoom.us. 

“Remember his first draft out there (with the Chargers in 2024), and all you guys saying it was a generational receiver draft and they needed weapons for Herbert … And he took (tackle Joe) Alt, and I told you all along it was Alt.”

One general manager said: “I think he keeps drafting offensive linemen. There’s going to be a run on them at the end of the first round. LA, Philly, Kansas City, Houston, San Francisco. He needs a starting guard.”

The interior of the Chargers offensive line has been a significant problem, and it’s also kept the running game, which traditionally flourishes with longtime Harbaugh assistant Greg Roman heavily involved, from becoming as consistent or potent as the team had hoped. 

The moves the Chargers made to address this position group earlier in the offseason are mostly of the stopgap variety, but landing potential blue chip contributors for years to come will likely resonate with Harbaugh in the end.