It may have taken seven weeks, but the LA Chargers finally won something on Sunday. Sure, it happened during the team's bye week while Justin Herbert and Co. were at home watching from their couch, but Chargers fans should take all the wins they can get.
Chargers fans are, unfortunately, already on 2027 NFL Draft watch before the calendar turns to November. The Chargers aren't making the playoffs after a disastrous 0-6 start and now all fans can hope for is the highest pick possible for a chance to draft generational wide receiver prospect Jeremiah Smith.
As the only 0-6 team, the Chargers already owned the No. 1 pick if the season were to end today. Sunday's outcomes only strengthened the Chargers' chances at landing the No. 1 pick, mostly thanks to the Miami Dolphins.
Chargers' path to No. 1 pick gets easier thanks to Dolphins' Week 7 win
The Miami Dolphins were the only other team in the league without a win and they looked just as dysfunctional as the Chargers. With a less talented quarterback under center, Miami was bound to be the Chargers' biggest threat at securing the No. 1 overall pick.
Miami went out and played its most complete game of the season against the New York Jets, who with two wins themselves, could eventually be in the running for a top-five pick. Despite the loss to the Dolphins, though, the Jets have shown enough competency to theoretically take themselves out of the No. 1 pick conversation.
The Chargers' one-game advantage over the Dolphins is huge given the schedules both teams have the rest of the way. Both the Dolphins and Chargers have a difficult schedule ahead, so wins could be very hard to come by for both teams. Miami taking a one-game lead in the win column could be the difference.
This is especially true given the teams' matchup against each other in December. That game could decide the No. 1 overall pick, and with Miami holding the lead in the win column, the Chargers may have more cushion than anticipated.
The Chargers may not even need to outlast the Dolphins, though
The Chargers are in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall pick, but it might not end up mattering if the Dolphins end up with the No. 1 pick. Miami absolutely should be in the market for a quarterback regardless of the money the team committed to Malik Willis last offseason.
Beating out the Chargers, who have been a disaster, for the No. 1 pick would be indicative that Willis is not the franchise guy moving forward.
The Tennessee Titans are another threat for the No. 1 pick but they also may not be in the market for Smith. Just like with Willis, if the Titans end up with a top-two pick then that's probably indicative that Cam Ward isn't the guy.
Titans fans don't need a top pick to know that, though. Anyone who has watched the Titans can see that Ward isn't the guy.
The biggest threat may be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who entered Week 7 with a 1-5 record. Baker Mayfield returned from injury and the Bucs walloped the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. With two more wins than the Chargers, and momentum on the Bucs' side, the Bolts may not have to worry about the Bucs at all regarding Smith.
Like with the Dolphins, this matters more considering the Chargers and Buccaneers play each other later this season.
All roads lead to Jeremiah Smith joining the Chargers
There certainly are other threats if the Chargers piece together wins down the stretch. The Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets (who have their own pick, the Indianapolis Colts' pick, and the Dallas Cowboys' pick), and the Philadelphia Eagles could all be threats to take Smith if those teams pick before the Chargers.
All of those teams have two or fewer wins, but that still may be enough cushion for the Chargers to stay ahead in the draft order. The Chargers have been a walking dumpster fire this season. The team hasn't even been competitive. Games against the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers all already feel like guaranteed losses.
That leaves the Chargers with a ceiling of four wins. Many of the teams mentioned are already halfway to four wins. And that's assuming the Chargers can actually beat the Dolphins, Bucs, Jets, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Maybe the Bolts go 2-2 in those four, leaving the team with two wins on the season. After Week 7's outcomes, that may be more than enough to draft Jeremiah Smith.
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