LA Chargers: Breaking down the non-quarterback options at six

The case for drafting Isaiah Simmons:

Some fans are really excited about the possibility of the LA Chargers drafting Isaiah Simmons, while others are more bullish on Simmons because he is a linebacker and it is not necessarily the biggest need.

I fall in the former.

Simmons is a freak athlete that can literally play anywhere on the field. He is quick, agile is a menacing tackler and is elite in pass coverage for a linebacker. Every year we have these defensive prospects that we essentially all know are going to be Pro Bowlers. Typically, they are linebackers, and this year it is Simmons.

He reminds me so much of Darius Leonard in the sense that we all knew he was going to be an elite linebacker at the next level. I am not alone on that comparison, as Lance Zierlein of NFL.com also compared Simmons to Leonard.

And while linebacker might not be the biggest need for the team, the Chargers absolutely could find a place to play Simmons. He would be a much better option to be the one to replace Thomas Davis as the strongside linebacker and when he is not doing that he could even help as the slot corner, occasionally allowing Harris to play outside, and could even fill in Phillips’ old role.

He can play all over the field and the dynamic of him and Derwin James in the same defense should be extremely menacing to opposing offenses. The Chargers would have two dynamic, overly athletic Swiss Army Knives that would allow the team to be the most creative defensive team in the league.

This also could open the door for a Desmond King trade, which is not a popular idea among the fan base, but could be a possibility. With only one year left on his contract, I like the idea of a King for Trent Williams trade, with the reasoning behind it outlined below.

Personally, it is the hardest of any player to make a case against Simmons because of his skill set, athleticism and versatility. The best case against him is that the Chargers could hope that Patrick Queen, who is a B+ version of Simmons, falls to the second round and the Chargers could snag a QB in round one.