One of the most popular strategies you’ll see for the Chargers in the early rounds of 2026 mocks will be them trying to fortify both sides of the trenches. Center and offensive guard are likely at the top of their needs list but I also wouldn’t be surprised if interior defensive lineman is also up there. Guys like Teair Tart and Da’Shawn Hand have played well, but the Bolts need more youngsters to grow and develop with the team. Caldwell is a good start, but I’d like to see more.
Enter this two-round
mock draft I threw together to show what a 1-2 combo could look for the Bolts come April. The Bolts need impact players and these two have shown a history of being just that for their respective programs.
Let’s dive in.
Round 1: Logan Jones, Center, Iowa
Jones was recently named the nation’s top center by winning the Rimington Award, following in the footsteps of former Hawkeye and current Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. Jones was also named a consensus All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten selection after another stellar season in which he allowed just five pressures, zero sacks, and was called for just two penalties all year. He finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded center and ended the regular season with an elite 90.1 pass block grade.
Jones was also ranked seventh on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List which ranks the 50 biggest freak-athletes in college football. Here’s the blurb on him:
“A former basketball player who was in the 260-pound range in high school, Jones first dunked in ninth grade at about 6-1. Now, at 303 pounds, he is one of the country’s best centers. Last year, Jones had zero sacks allowed in 280 pass blocking snaps, per PFF. He set the program record this offseason with a 705-pound squat. He holds the position record with a 36.6-inch vertical, a 1.53 10-yard split and a 4.09 shuttle. His 470-pound hang clean this summer is also a position record, but he was hoping to break the program record for all players held by another Freaks List alum, Tristan Wirfs.”
Current Chargers starting center Bradley Bozeman is currently ranked 39th out of 30 qualifying centers this season. Need I say anything more? The Bolts need to find a new starting center and Jones is the perfect fit for Jim Harbaugh-coached team.
Round 2: Dontay Corleone, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati
It doesn’t get much better in the nickname department than “The Godfather” but what else can you call a guy whose last name is Corleone?
Along with his intimidating moniker is his 335 pounds on a 6’1 frame. PFF currently has him ranked as their seventh-best interior defender and despite a drop in production this season, they believe he’s still a viable player at the next level.
“Corleone, or better known as The Godfather, has been in college football for quite some time. He was one of the highest-graded players in the country in 2022, sporting elite PFF run-defense grades thanks to imposing strength and massive size. His PFF overall and run-defense grades have steadily dropped each season since, and he suffered blood clots in the 2024 offseason, which is worth noting given his weight. Corleone has unique quickness for a nose tackle, and even though he possesses shorter arms, he can stack and control centers at will in run defense. His pass-rush win rate has been below 10.0% for two seasons, likely a product of his lack of length, which only gets more challenging to overcome in the NFL. As a true nose tackle for a 3-4 scheme, he can still bring plenty of value.”
As a freshman in 2022, Corleone had three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. In 2023, he replicated his three-sack campaign while notching a career-high 6.5 tackles for loss. In ‘24, Corleone recorded another five tackles for loss and a new career-high of 3.5 sacks. This year has been a bit of a letdown, however, as Corelone has played in 10 games due to injury while failing to record a single tackle for loss or sack.
Obviously this dip isn’t shying PFF away from believeing he’s one of the best at his position in this class, but it very well could sink his draft stock a bit. Don’t be surprised if he falls a round or two when it’s all said and done. For this exercise, however, we’re trusting PFF and believe Corleone is worthy of a late pick in the second.
