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Offensive lineman Joel Bitonio

The Los Angeles Chargers focused heavily on the offensive line during the 2026 NFL Draft after Justin Herbert was one of the most sacked and pressured quarterbacks last season.

LA selected four offensive linemen in the draft to help address the issue, with the first taken in the second round and the last in the sixth.

While the offensive front has been addressed, one NFL writer names the Chargers as a best fit for a free agent O-lineman who can be an immediate starter for the team.

Chargers Named Best Fit for Five-Time All-Pro, Joel Bitonio

GettyThe Chargers are named a fit for an All-Pro guard

Pro Bowlers Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater will return to the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering season-ending injuries last season. While getting them back is a huge plus, an NFL writer believes the Chargers can add an All-Pro to the offensive front five.

CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan names the Bolts as a best fit for free agent guard Joel Bitonio after the draft, who last played for the Cleveland Browns.

“L.A. took Florida interior lineman Jake Slaughter in the second round [of the 2026 NFL Draft], and while that selection helps bolster the interior of the offensive line. It comes with questions,” Sullivan wrote. “Namely, Slaughter was a center in college and didn’t play guard, so the Chargers are projecting a bit with this pick, with Tyler Biadasz already installed at center.”

“As insurance, it’d make sense to target a veteran like Bitonio, who only allowed two sacks at guard last season. He’s long in the tooth as he’ll turn 35 in the midst of the 2026 season, but could be a solid stopgap option as Slaughter develops.”

Bitonio received a 70.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, with a 75.5 pass block grade, the eighth-best at his respective position.

While adding multiple linemen through the draft, the Chargers have added guaranteed starters through free agency, with Biadasz and Cole Strange, with head coach Jim Harbaugh expecting him to become the starter at right guard.

The left guard spot remains the only worry on the offensive line as of now (outside of durability), with the Chargers having an easy solution if they were to sign Joel Bitonio.

The left guard is a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro who has made $107 million in his 12-year career.

Joe Hortiz On the Offensive Linemen Taken in the Draft

GettyLos Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz

Many mock drafts had the Los Angeles Chargers selecting multiple offensive linemen early, but the Bolts have been known in recent years to take the best available players.

This could explain why the Chargers decided to draft four offensive linemen instead of addressing the room early on and the team went with a defensive selection in round one.

“There’s a lot of linemen we like in this draft still,” general manager Joe Hortiz said after Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. “Like I say, we take the best player available. It breeds competition. They were there and they were the highest guys… Let’s take the best players, make the team as competitive and as good as we can make it.”

It appears that Hortiz believes the linemen can contribute and make the rest of the group better, helping reduce the sack number Justin Herbert had last season.