Chargers: Fan-favorite pick at No. 28 in the 2019 NFL Draft

Chargers Fan Vote: Sweet 16

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S) vs Drew Lock (QB)

Winner: Gardner-Johnson (72 percent)

Though this one was the easiest to predict of the Sweet 16 match ups, it’s surprising to see Lock get over a quarter of the fan votes. The Chargers have done their homework on the 2019 QB draft class, but following the signing of reserve quarterback Tyrod Taylor to back up iron man Philip Rivers, it’s unlikely they take another one that high.

Gardner-Johnson is currently a wild card on draft day, for there are plenty who view him as the best safety in the class but a number of others who have him third or fourth. He plays like Derwin James-lite, which is more telling of how outstanding James was last year than a knock on Gardner-Johnson.

Dalton Risner (OL) vs Jerry Tillery (IDL)

Winner: Risner (65 percent)

Right away, two of the most popular trench picks for the Chargers at No. 28 go head-to-head. The fans decided Risner was the guy to take, which would be a great move for the offense moving forward.

A.J. Brown (WR) vs Dexter Lawrence (IDL)

Winner: Lawrence (74 percent)

One of the positions most fans do not want the team to draft early against one of their most popular players at a position of need. It’s no surprise Lawrence won, though he currently projects as a two-down defensive tackle with little pass rush upside despite his immense talent.

Rock Ya-Sin (CB) vs Kaleb McGary (OL)

Winner: McGary (72 percent)

Ya-Sin is not the most coveted corner of this class, and fans cast their vote at a higher percentage for another corner in this round. McGary again fills a need, though he could be a guard at the next level. It may be a reach at No. 28, but a trench pick is nevertheless a good route to go in round one.

Deionte Thompson (S) vs Deandre Baker (CB)

Winner: Thompson (54 percent)

Baker may be the player higher on most big boards, but Thompson would, if brought in to play free safety, fill a need. Fans made this one a tight race, but in the end, the hard-hitting Alabama safety made it out of the first round of voting.

Juan Thornhill (S) vs Chris Lindstrom (IOL)

Winner: Thornhill (53 percent)

If fans are following mock drafts, they’ll see it’s more likely that the Chargers grab a guy like Thornhill in the second round than at No. 28. Thornhill has been rising up draft rankings, though, and could sneak in early. He’s not the favorite safety of fans in this round though…

Nasir Adderley (S) vs N’Keal Harry (WR)

Winner: Adderley (90 percent)

Fans clearly make the statement that wide receiver should not be prioritized over a position of need. Adderley has been a fan-favorite since very early on, and garnered the highest percentage of votes of any match up of any round.

Jeffery Simmons (IDL) vs Christian Wilkins (IDL)

Winner: Wilkins (76 percent)

Simmons is a bit of a wild card, with many falling in love with his potential and others hoping to stay as far away as possible from the potentially problematic defensive tackle. Instead, fans gave Wilkins three-fourths of the vote, though he’s the least likely to be there at No. 28.