LA Chargers Mock Draft: A hypothetical Isaiah Simmons mock

While the consensus seems to be that the LA Chargers will go for the quarterback of the future in the draft, there are players who could theoretically shake that up. The top 10 is chock full of great defensive talent like Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, and Derrick Brown. One player that fits the Chargers very well, in my opinion, is Isaiah Simmons.

Simmons is a dynamic defensive presence. He’s listed at linebacker, but can really play everywhere on the defense. He’s like another Derwin James in the way that his game has no real position. He can line up on the defensive line, in the box, at safety, cornerback, etc. You name the position, he’ll dominate it.

Completing the mock draft was done through The Draft Network’s mock draft machine. The main needs for the Chargers, in order of importance, included quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, wide receiver, linebacker, running back, tight end, and interior defensive line.

With the sixth overall pick in this LA Chargers mock draft, the team selects:

Obviously, this LA Chargers mock draft starts with Simmons. There’s still a pretty decent chance he’ll be on the board by the time the Chargers draft. The other team that could draft him is the Giants, but it’s likelier they take an offensive lineman after drafting Daniel Jones last year.

If the draft goes in the order it’s expected to, Simmons will be the best player available at six. He was the best linebacker in college football this season. While the Chargers have some linebacker talent, they don’t have a linebacker that is the decisive number one on the team. They probably haven’t had that type of player since Shawne Merriman.

The Chargers are already loaded at secondary. The ability to have Simmons be the number one linebacker who can also contribute at the second level with James, Casey Hayward, Chris Harris, and Desmond King is special. It’s really like drafting a great safety and a great linebacker with one pick.

Another advantage of drafting Simmons is having some cheaper defensive talent. Next year, the Chargers will have to pay Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, and King if they want to retain them. Having a cheap four year deal for a linebacker who is a day one difference-maker would be an advantage for a team that has to pay their top talents.