Chargers' Justin Herbert will love 1 rookie projection
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Chargers' Justin Herbert will love 1 rookie projection originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took a lot of punishment in 2025 as he was sacked 54 times.
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That isn't any way for a perceived top quarterback to live.
So, the Chargers made a couple of moves in free agency to fortify the offensive line, plus selecting three linemen in the NFL Draft. So, depth was greatly improved.
The question now is, can those drafted be counted on to protect the franchise's biggest and best asset?
For Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick, he thinks Jake Slaughter can be L.A.'s best draft pick in 2026.
"Los Angeles announced Slaughter, who started 33 games at center for Florida, as a guard," Flick wrote. "He’ll enter a three-man competition for the two guard spots with a good chance at getting the nod in Week 1.
"Slaughter is quick-footed and athletic, a good fit for new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, and he’s a former team captain at Florida. That’s a good blend of tools."
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Herbert facing big 2026 season
This is based on a couple of things.
Firstly, Herbert, for some, is viewed as a top quarterback, but hasn't done anything when it counts in the postseason, being 0-3.
The other is that Herbert now has adequate protection from his offensive line (we think), plus an offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel who could bring out the best in him.
A coordinator who made Tua Tagovailoa look elite for a short period, what McDaniel can do with Herbert will be a fascinating watch over the course of the season.
After back-to-back 11-win seasons and no playoff wins, the time has come for Herbert to actually do something of note in the NFL.