The Los Angeles Chargers may have all but dashed their postseason chances in the 2026 season, as their 0-4 start following a loss to the Seattle Seahawks has them much closer to Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith than they are to a playoff spot.
One silver lining is the fact they could address one of their key issues with a premium pick. The combination of Ladd McConkey's injuries, the lack of depth behind him at wide receiver, and the general offensive dysfunction has provided clarity for this organization. The first pick they use in this draft must be spent on a wide receiver.
It just so happens that Smith, who many have dubbed the best wide receiver prospect in years, is waiting for them at the top of the hypothetical NFL Draft order. Chargers fans committed to the tank may already have their No. 4 jerseys preordered.
Chargers need to make Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith top target in 2026 NFL Draft
If the season ended today, the Chargers would own the No. 4 overall pick. If that position were to hold, they would need a few teams from a group consisting of the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to delve into the quarterback class. It's a bit unlikely, but far from impossible.
Some fans may be a bit hesitant to take Smith despite his "generational" status after Marvin Harrison Jr. has fizzled with the Arizona Cardinals, but Smith is even a cut above Harrison as a prospect. He has Harrison's size while showing breakneck speed, great ball skills, and yards-after-catch potential.
Smith, who currently has more receiving yards by himself than 22 different FBS schools, would be the best skill position talent Herbert has had in his career outside of the last few seasons of Keenan Allen's prime. When paired with McConkey and a free agent signing, the Chargers' passing attack may instantly go from check-minus to check-plus.
The Los Angeles Chargers' passing game would thrive with Jeremiah Smith
McConkey is a tremendous talent, but he is looking less like a WR1 and more like a WR2 who can still top 1,000 yards with each passing week. His injury history is only going to make the long-term evaluation more difficult. Tre Harris is still not developing as expected, and the less is said about Quentin Johnston, the better.
Herbert may not be on his last legs in Los Angeles, but what some fans may have envisioned to be a decade-plus tenure in Chargers colors is in danger of being cut short after an unwatchable start to the season. The least this organization can do is give him enough skill position players to provide this offense with the juice it currently lacks.
The Chargers landing Smith means they either sat through a half-dozen more Herbert stinkers or paid through the nose to trade up and acquire him. While neither of those situations are ideal for Joe Hortiz and the front office, Smith would make for one heck of a pot of gold at the end of this drab rainbow.
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