Unlike any Chargers' season in recent memory, it's a particularly early start to hypothesizing about the offseason. The Chargers would have the first overall pick if the draft was today. We'll see if that holds over the next few months. But in general, the Chargers are poised to be in a top five draft position at least after what was expected to be a playoff year.
Complicating this process further-will GM Joe Hortiz be here next year? What about HC Jim Harbaugh or OC Mike McDaniel? It's harder to rely on priors of how the brain trust has operated if there's a growing chance of regime chance next year.
The Chargers could also become sellers at the trade deadline and accumulate extra picks that way. There's been plenty of speculation on the situation regarding EDGE Khalil Mack specifically.
This simuation was done using NFL Stock Exchange's new mock draft tool.
There's a fairly obvious pick at #1 overall.
A three round 2027 mock draft following the Chargers' disastrous start to the season.
With the first pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select...
1.1: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
No, they're not going quarterback next year. If Justin Herbert were to be moved next year despite having a no-trade clause, that means he demanded a trade. But until then, there's no scenario where Herbert is leaving Los Angeles. The Chargers' offseason next year will be about trying to salvage their quarterback following a failed McDaniel experiment.
Jeremiah Smith is the consensus #1 player in the draft for a reason. He has 984 yards and 12 touchdowns with five games left to play in the regular season. He's at a career high 4.78 yards per route run in 2026. For his career at OSU, his targets have averaged a 142.9 passer rating.
At 6'4" and 222 pounds, he's had a 53.6% contested catch rate in his three seasons. He's drawn comparisons to historic names like Julio Jones.
He is less than 100 career receiving yards from the most in Big Ten history. Last week vs. reigning National Champion Indiana, he tied Braylon Edwards for the career most receiving TDs in conference history (39).
The Chargers need a true, physical presence at WR1. That's not to discredit what Ladd McConkey has done in his career. But there are limitations size-wise to what he can do and we have seen some injury regression towards the medical red flags from his 2024 draft profile. Quentin Johnston, LA's current X-receiver, has had a 2026 campaign resembling his disastrous 2023 rookie season.
Wide receiver is a massive need going into the offseason. There are wide-ranging conversations to be had as to why Herbert hasn't performed to his previous standards this season. But one part of their offensive failure this season is an inability to push the ball downfield. This season, Herbert is completing a career low 29.4% of his passes of 20+ yards. And while he and McDaniel need to own their failures in this offense, that's also a wide receiver stat.
Regardless of their specific offensive structure next season, the Chargers need a dominant ball-winning wide receiver. What better way to do that than a historic, big WR prospect who will likely hold the Heisman Trophy in less than two months?
With the 33rd pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Chargers select...
2.33: Notre Dame LG Anthonie Knapp
The Chargers' lack of investment into their interior offensive line has showed up this season. They paid RG Cole Strange less than what the other guards made on the first day of free agency. His tape has been brutal to watch. At center, rookie Jake Slaughter has had to step in for the injured Tyler Biadasz. There are encouraging moments on tape, but he also gets bullied in regards to his frame and size. LG Kayode Awosika showed some promise to start the year, but he's dealt with a fibula injury that's kept him off the field for a month.
Truthfully, there's no current interior player on the Chargers that's proven why they should be considered a long term asset. While the Biadasz injury was a bad break, they also did nothing to fortify the rest of the IOL.
With the teams' second-round selection, I took Notre Dame's Anthonie Knapp. Knapp is a former left tackle who converted to left guard this season. He stood out on film vs. Wisconsin earlier this year. With a body and frame more built for guard, his power is very noticeable:
Knapp has posted the highest pass blocking efficiency of his career in 2026 at 98.8. He's allowed just five pressures and no sacks on 222 pass blocking snaps so far this season. Of nearly 200 guards with 300+ blocking snaps in CFB, Knapp is 14th in PFF run blocking grade (74.1).
At 6'5", Knapp provides quality size and requisite athleticism. McDaniel's presence (or lack thereof) will determine what kinds of linemen they're interested in. But I don't see Knapp as an overly scheme specific with his physical tools and what he's put on tape this year.
With the 65th pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Chargers select...
3.65: Alabama CB Zabien Brown
At some point, the Chargers need another draft and/or free agency investment at CB. While the secondary has generally played well this year, the teams' lack of depth at CB has been exploited. Following injuries to CB Donte Jackson, UDFA Rodney Shelley had to step up and play more. While he showed promise in the preseason, the regular season has been less kind. The team lost Benjamin St-Juste in free agency. They have not selected a cornerback in the draft since 2024. Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still will also be in the last years of their rookie deals in 2027.
At 6'2" and 196 pounds, Alabama's Zabien Brown has proper boundary corner traits at the next level. He rallies to the football in run support and has played in nearly every type of defensive look at Alabama.
For his career, Brown has allowed an opposing passer rating of 76.9 with five interceptions and nine PBUs. He's disruptive and is able to understand leverage plus positioning on the field very well.
It's been a slight down year in 2026 for Brown in coverage and as a tackler. Currently, he's also dealing with a lower leg injury. But his slight stock down this year allows the Chargers to get a scheme versatile corner with round one or two level potential in this class.
With the 100th pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Chargers select...
3.100: Clemson EDGE Will Heldt
The Chargers don't technically have this draft pick yet. But they are currently projected to receive a third-round comp pick for the departure of now Commanders EDGE Odafe Oweh. With that selection, I chose to continue bolstering the EDGE depth with Clemson's Will Heldt.
Khalil Mack could be traded by the deadline. Even if he's not traded, there's a chance he retires by the end of the year. Tuli Tuipulotu and Akheem Mesidor appear to be the key cogs going forward. But with Mack and veteran Bud Dupree on expiring deals, the Chargers should look to keep adding at EDGE in the draft. Their defensive structure also relies on their ability to play 3 EDGE looks.
At 6'6" and 260 pounds, Will Heldt brings incredible length and size to the EDGE position. In his last 19 games, Heldt has put up 67 pressures and 11.5 sacks with 22 TFLs.
He plays tough against the run and has continued adding to his pass rush bag in terms of moves.
Improving bend and pad level probably will be key to determining his NFL ceiling. But as far as his floor, he could play a decent amount in a Chargers EDGE rotation post-Mack.
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