Chargers Surprise in Latest NFL Mock Draft

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has the Chargers taking a disruptive defensive tackle in the first round.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with sharp planes of navy blue, powder blue, and gold representing the players and field.The Chargers' surprise pick of a defensive tackle in the first round disrupts expectations for their draft strategy.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Chargers have several needs heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, including on the offensive line and at wide receiver. However, in a recent mock draft, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has the Chargers surprising many by selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in the first round.

Why it matters

The Chargers have struggled to find consistent production on the defensive line in recent years, and adding a talented interior disruptor like Banks could help shore up that unit. However, the Chargers also have pressing needs on the offensive line that may take priority in the draft.

The details

Prisco's mock draft has the Chargers selecting Banks, a big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his physical traits. Banks has a quick first step and can stun and control single blocks, but he needs to improve his hand strikes and disengagement to increase his tackle production. The Chargers re-signed Teair Tart this offseason, but letting Poona Ford get away last year still stings, and Banks could provide a young, talented option to pair with Tart on the interior of the defensive line.

  • The 2023 NFL Draft will take place from April 27-29.

The players

Justin Herbert

The Chargers' starting quarterback, who is in need of improved offensive line play to protect him.

Bradley Bozeman

The Chargers' former starting center, who retired this offseason.

Tyler Biadasz

The Chargers' new starting center, signed in free agency.

Cole Strange

A Chargers guard who could be a plus starter next year in Mike McDaniel's scheme.

Quentin Johnston

A Chargers wide receiver whose future with the team is uncertain.

Caleb Banks

The Florida defensive tackle that Prisco has the Chargers selecting in his latest mock draft.

Teair Tart

A Chargers defensive tackle who the team re-signed this offseason.

Poona Ford

A defensive tackle the Chargers let get away in free agency last year, which still stings.

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What they’re saying

“Adding him to Jamaree Caldwell would give them a nice, young inside duo. Banks just has to stay on the field since injuries have slowed his career.”

— Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Analyst

“Big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his traits. Banks has a quick first step. He can stun/control single blocks when his hand strikes are timely and accurate, but he needs faster disengagement to increase his tackle count.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst

What’s next

The Chargers will have to weigh the potential value of adding a disruptive defensive tackle like Caleb Banks against their more pressing needs on the offensive line. They only have five picks in this year's draft, so using one on Banks could be a risk if they are unable to adequately address the guard spots.

The takeaway

The Chargers' surprise pick of Caleb Banks in the first round could provide a talented young option to bolster their defensive line, but they'll need to carefully balance that against their more pressing needs on the offensive line if they want to maximize their limited draft capital this year.