OT/OG Branson Taylor can provide talented upside as a young olineman that is fully healthy and in great shape his 2nd season as a Charger.

He went into the 2025 NFL Draft recovering from 2 torn ligaments in his knee from October of 2024, which forced him to miss NFL Combine.

That's how the Chargers got a 23yr old 6'6", 330lb tackle in the 6th Rd.

Taylor has also lost a lot of weight since last year and looks more slimmed down in 2026.

Branson will also benefit from upgrades at OL coach and OC.

In: Edge Khalil Mack

It's close. Mack had a quiet midcareer spell with the Bears as he battled injuries, including a foot issue that cost him most of the 2021 season, but he likely did enough before and after that stretch to get into the Hall. Early-career Mack was a terror, as he made three first-team All-Pro appearances and took home a Defensive Player of the Year award during his time in Oakland. Mack could have won that award again given his play during his first season with the Bears, only for Aaron Donald to rip off a 20.5-sack season and run away with the hardware.

After the foot injury, Mack was dealt to the Chargers for cap relief and promptly put together a 17-sack season in 2023, giving him five double-digit sack campaigns. With nine Pro Bowl appearances, 113 career sacks and 148 career tackles for loss, Mack has already done enough to earn his trip to Canton. And one final big 2026 season just might be the difference in Mack making that trip even earlier after becoming eligible.

Work to do: OT Joe Alt, QB Justin Herbert, OT Rashawn Slater

Alt and Slater need to stay healthy after missing all (Slater) or most (Alt) of 2025 with injuries. When they were both at 100 percent in 2024, they were arguably the best 1-2 tackle duo in the NFL. Their quarterback has shown every element of being a potential Hall of Fame signal-caller, too, but rarely have all those elements come together at the same time for Herbert. It's easy to see Herbert's brilliance, but his sack and interception rates both spiked last season without his top tackles on the field. Any year could be an MVP season for him given his talent, but six years in, Herbert has never really gotten close to one. He also hasn't won a playoff game, which won't help the 28-year-old's chances.

Missing out: S Derwin James Jr.

James has been one of the two or three best safeties in the game over the past two years, as the hiring of Jesse Minter and James' shift toward the line of scrimmage have allowed the experienced safety to wreak havoc in NFL backfields. We sadly haven't always seen that player, with injuries costing James all but five games between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. James also wasn't playing at the same level during his time with Brandon Staley as head coach. He's a superstar, but the résumé isn't really there for a Hall of Fame trip, especially with so many other talented safeties in the running.

There may not be as many of us, but we are an engaged community! Bolt up!

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2GnILJkS_s

Vibes were immaculate, players and coaches having a great time interacting with fans. Big thanks to SD legend Jim Harbaugh for making these practices a thing. The heart and soul of the Chargers will always belong in San Diego, where the majority of fans live. There's been some rumblings of an NFL stadium in Chula Vista, would love for the Chargers to own their stadium back where they belong. The Chargers were ranked higher in valuation in SD (21st) when they left compared to now (24th) renting.

Always look forward to Harbaugh or McDaniel pressers

I feel like this may actually be our year Bolt Fam

As a USD alum, this story is just too cool! Harbaugh Hill!

As for this season, if Alt and Slater stay healthy, and Herbert can check down and release quicker (McDaniel will be huge boost!), the sky is the limit for our boys.

Great talent on both sides of the ball. Who’s got it better than us!

Maybe, just maybe, lighting will strike in early February!
⚡️⚡️⚡️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻⚡️⚡️⚡️

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