The Chargers' defensive tackle room has undergone a makeover this offseason. After losing Poona Ford and Morgan Fox, they re-signed Teair Tart and added Naquan Jones and Da'Shawn Hand.
Despite the additions, the positional room still lacks juice. That said, Los Angeles could resort to the draft and take advantage of a talented group.
Here is a defensive tackle in every round for the Bolts.
Round 1: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
An exceptionally quick player for his 6'3", 339 lb size, Grant is a ready-made run defender with huge pass rush upside from the inside if an NFL team can focus his hands and first step. There's perhaps no better staff to do that than Los Angeles', which employs Grant's college head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach. Grant also told a media member at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January that he'd love to be reunited with that staff and play in front of family he has in the California area.
Round 2: Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Turner has gotten lost in the discourse about this strong defensive tackle class, perhaps because his teammate Shemar Stewart is soaking up all the love for Aggies named Shemar in this draft. But Turner is a good player in his own right, playing all over the defensive front for Texas A&M in his four seasons on campus. A high-motor player with quick hands, Turner's lack of length and weight will probably limit him more to 3-technique and out, but the Chargers can afford a player like that after signing Tart, Hand, and Jones to play between 0 and 3 tech.
Round 3: Jordan Phillips, Maryland
An alumnus of Bruce Feldman's Freaks List, Phillips reportedly has a 665-pound squat, 365-pound power clean, and 265-pound overhead press on his resume. That freakish strength is constantly on display on his tape, where he's an elite run defender at the point of attack. If LA thinks that Tart and Hand provide enough pass rush juice from the interior, Phillips could be a strong addition to the Chargers' run defense, a middling unit in 2024.
Round 4: Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
At 6-foot-5 and 295 lbs, Mills is a bit of a lighter lineman who will probably find his best NFL fit at 5-technique. That's perfect for the Chargers, who lost Morgan Fox in free agency and are currently slated to start 2024 fourth-rounder Justin Eboigbe in that spot in 2025. While the staff is reportedly high on the Alabama product, Eboigbe only played 26 defensive snaps as a rookie. Bringing in some competition for him would be ideal, and Mills is a quality pass rusher from that spot.
Round 5: Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
Even lighter than Mills at 284 pounds, Hemingway is a tweener who will probably also find a home at 5-tech for a pro squad. The younger brother of former Michigan and Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway doesn't quite have the sand in his pants to effectively play the run on the inside, but his explosiveness and bend get him through gaps other interior linemen would be walled off in.
Round 6: Cam Horsley, Boston College
A standout at the Shrine Bowl, Horsley has the size and athleticism to play anywhere on the interior. He has a strong, wide base as a run defender and was a productive player in that area for Boston College, earning third-team All-ACC honors in 2024. While he doesn't add much as a pass rusher, his sure tackling ability will make him a quality depth option for any squad.
Round 7: Laki Tasi, Australia
Tasi has never played organized football, but he's gaining a ton of buzz in league circles as the top ...
