Chargers Weigh Risks of Drafting Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor

The massive tackle prospect could fill a need, but his inconsistent play raises concerns about his fit in the Chargers' zone-blocking scheme.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:22pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an offensive line play, with the players' bodies and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the chaos and intensity of the Chargers' offensive line struggles.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Chargers are in need of offensive line help, particularly at guard, after a season in which their line struggled to protect quarterback Justin Herbert. Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, a massive tackle prospect, has been mocked to the Chargers in the first round, but his inconsistent play and potential scheme fit issues make him a polarizing and risky target.

Why it matters

The Chargers' offensive line was a major weakness in 2025, and they need to find immediate impact players to protect their franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert. Proctor has the physical tools, but his on-field performance has been inconsistent, and there are questions about whether his skill set is a good match for the Chargers' zone-blocking scheme.

The details

Proctor, who stands 6'7" and weighed in at 352 lbs at the NFL Combine, has anchored Alabama's offensive line at left tackle since his true freshman season. He's an incredible athlete for his size, but his technique has been inconsistent, and he's been credited with yielding 17 sacks and 72 pressures over the past three seasons. Proctor also reportedly weighed close to 400 lbs early in the 2025 college season, raising concerns about his conditioning and preparation for the NFL.

  • Proctor has started at left tackle for Alabama since his true freshman season in 2023.
  • Proctor reportedly weighed close to 400 lbs early in the 2025 college season.

The players

Kadyn Proctor

A massive offensive lineman from Alabama who has been mocked to the Chargers in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Justin Herbert

The Chargers' franchise quarterback, who was under constant pressure behind the team's struggling offensive line in 2025.

Jim Harbaugh

The Chargers' head coach, who has stated that the team will be looking to add competition to the offensive line room this offseason.

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What’s next

The Chargers will have to weigh the risks and potential upside of drafting Kadyn Proctor in the first round, as they look to bolster their offensive line and protect Justin Herbert.

The takeaway

The Chargers' need for immediate offensive line help is clear, but Kadyn Proctor's inconsistent play and potential scheme fit issues make him a polarizing and risky first-round target. The team will have to carefully evaluate whether Proctor's physical tools and potential are worth the gamble, or if they should look elsewhere to find a more reliable and scheme-fitting option to shore up their offensive line.