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The Los Angeles Chargers need to secure a starting left guard in the 2026 NFL Draft after losing Zion Johnson to the Cleveland Browns. With only Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika as options, drafting a potential starter is crucial for protecting quarterback Justin Herbert.
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One of the Los Angeles Chargersâ biggest needs going into the 2026 NFL Draft is a starting left guard.
The Chargers lost starting left guard Zion Johnson to the Cleveland Browns in free agency. Johnson, who the Chargers drafted with the No. 17 pick in 2022, signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal with the Browns.
That leaves the Chargers with just Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika as left guard options. Los Angeles traded for Penning in November following multiple injuries to the offensive line, then re-signed him to a one-year, $4.5 million contract in March. The Chargers also signed Awosika as a depth piece in March.
Securing an upgrade at the left guard position in the NFL Draft will be crucial for protecting quarterback Justin Herbert next season.
âThe Chargers must come away from the first three rounds of this draft with a potential starter at left guard,â NFL insider Daniel Popper wrote. â⊠Hortiz and Harbaugh cannot avoid this need, and I frankly do not care if they think Trevor Penning has immense potential at left guard. I also do not care if they think offensive coordinator Mike McDanielâs scheme will elevate the protection.â
January 27, 2026; El Segundo, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel speaks at introductory press conference at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Chargers lost starting left guard Zion Johnson to the Cleveland Browns in free agency.
The current left guard options for the Chargers are Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika.
Drafting a left guard is crucial for the Chargers to protect quarterback Justin Herbert next season.

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So far this offseason, the Chargers signed center Tyler Biadasz and right guard Cole Strange in free agency. The Chargers also released veteran guard Mekhi Becton to save approximately $9.7 million in cap space.
Biadasz is replacing former center Bradley Bozeman, who announced his retirement in February. Biadasz signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chargers in March. Meanwhile, Strange signed a two-year, $13 million contract with Los Angeles this offseason.
Strange played for the Chargersâ new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel for one season with the Miami Dolphins.
The Chargers will need to continue upgrading the offensive line with at least one of their five picks during the NFL Draft, ideally the No. 22, No. 55 or No. 86 picks in the first three rounds.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday at 5 pm PT in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Chargers Urged to Secure Starting Left Guard by Third Round of NFL Draft appeared first on LA Sports Report.