2026 NFL Draft: Why the Chargers selected OT Travis Burke

The Chargers traded up to secure some depth on the offensive line.

LA sent picks 123 and 204 to Houston for pick 117, which they used to select Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke on Saturday.

Burke is a massive tackle at 6'8" and 325 pounds, but he has plenty of experience in a zone scheme at Memphis. He began his career at FCS Gardner-Webb, where he played 14 games split between left and right tackle across two seasons before transferring to Florida International, where he started 22 games at left tackle over two years. His final season came at Memphis, where he moved back to the right side and was named First Team All-American Conference despite missing the Tigers' last two games with a lower body injury.

With 30 games of left tackle experience and another 16 at right tackle, the versatility and utility as a swing tackle is clear for Burke. The Chargers did not have much depth behind Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, both of whom are coming off major injuries. Trey Pipkins III returned to the team on a two-year deal this offseason, but he has struggled with injuries on and off as well and can be released for $5 million in cap savings next offseason if the Chargers are not happy with his cost.

Burke struggles with pad level due to his size, but he was coached by former NFL offensive lineman David Diehl at Memphis, so he's already been preparing like a pro for the last year. He has better movement skills than you might expect for a player of his stature and plays with a nasty demeanor that surely got Jim Harbaugh and the coaching staff excited in the film room.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranked Burke as his No. 9 offensive tackle in the class, noting that he is equally effective as a run and pass blocker.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Why the Chargers selected OT Travis Burke with the 117th pick