The Ty Simpson buzz is starting to feel eerily similar to that of Jaxson Dart a year ago and this time around, the LA Chargers could benefit.
Simpson's stock as the second-best quarterback in this draft is rising, which could eventually lead to him being taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Like Dart, this could come via an aggressive team that trades back into the first round to get its franchise quarterback.
That is where the Chargers come in. With the No. 22 pick and only five selections total, the Chargers are in prime position to trade back with a quarterback-hungry team. That's exactly what the Bolts do in our latest mock draft, trading back into the second round via the Arizona Cardinals to add another top-100 selection.
- Chargers receive: No. 34, No. 65, and a future late-round pick
- Cardinals receive: No. 22
Chargers mock draft with a Ty Simpson trade down:
Arizona doesn't have a future at the quarterback position after giving up on Kyler Murray and with a new head coach and a GM that could be on the hot seat with another bad year, it makes sense for the team to be aggressive.
And for those wondering, yes, it makes more sense for the Cardinals to trade up for Simpson rather than let him fall to 34. Not only can another team trade up, but the Cardinals get a fifth-year option by taking Simpson in round one instead of round two. That matters for quarterbacks.
Chargers draft Oregon LG Emmanuel Pregnon with No. 34 pick
This is probably considered a reach on most big boards and mock draft machines (we used PFSN's mock draft simulator for this article) but none of that matters. The Chargers traditionally take the best player on their board regardless of what the machines say, and that very well could be Pregnon.
Los Angeles needs to add youth to the offensive line and especially needs a starting left guard with Cole Strange starting at right guard. In Pregnon, the Bolts get who many think is the second-best guard in the draft, even if most expect him to go 10-12 picks later.
Pregnon is a mauler who plays a Jim Harbaugh style of football. His holes can be covered in Mike McDaniel's offense while his run blocking will be key in setting the table on the offensive line. No pick in the draft is a guarantee, but it's really easy to talk yourself into Pregnon on the Chargers.
Chargers draft Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas with No. 55 pick
It's no secret the Chargers need an edge rusher. Tuli Tuipulotu is the future of the position but with Odafe Oweh in Washington, the Chargers only have Khalil Mack to reliably support him. Los Angeles needs a third edge rusher who can fill Oweh's role in 2026 and be the long-term running mate for Tulipulotu.
That's what the Bolts get in Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas. Jacas recorded 19 sacks, 26.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles his final two years at Illinois. Most importantly to the Chargers, Jacas has shown versatility on the edge, making it easier to work him in alongside Mack and Tuipulotu.
The icing on the cake is Jacas' player comparison. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compares Jacas to Matthew Judon, who the Baltimore Ravens drafted back when Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was the director of scouting.
Chargers draft Missouri LB Josiah Trotter with No. 65 pick
Linebacker is a question mark for the Chargers with Junior Colson's impact up the air. The third-round pick has not been productive thus far in his NFL career, which may lead the Chargers to draft another day-two linebacker in 2026.
Trotter, son of former All-Pro Jeremiah Trotter, would give the Chargers an abundance of depth at the linebacker position while also providing special teams depth in year one. This is the kind of draft pick that may not have an impact right away but could have long-term implications if the Chargers handle his development properly.
Best-case scenario, Colson comes along and the Chargers don't need Trotter right away after also re-signing Denzel Perryman. Worst-case scenario, the Chargers have a young depth option with legitimate upside to step in and play meaningful defensive snaps if needed.
Chargers draft Auburn C Connor Lew with No. 86 pick
This is the kind of pick the Chargers can't make with only five selections. Connor Lew is a known name for Chargers fans as he was once considered the top center prospect in the draft and a potential first-rounder.
However, a torn ACL in October has completely tanked Lew's draft stock, with many projecting him to fall to the third round. With five picks, the Chargers can't afford to take a multi-year investment here that has no chance of helping the team this year. With a trade down, it's more feasible.
This is taking a page out of the Philadelphia Eagles playbook: draft a talented player who fell much lower than they should have. Lew probably won't play in 2026 and he may not even be the favorite to start in 2027, but he gives the Chargers long-term stability at a position of need.
Tyler Biadasz is an upgrade, but there is no guarantee he is successful. And even if he is good in 2026, the Chargers can get out of his deal if needed in 2027, and can cut bait with almost no strings attached in 2028.
At only 20 years old, the Chargers have plenty of time to be patient with a prospect as talented as Lew.
Chargers draft Duke CB Chandler Rivers with No. 123 pick, Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny with No. 204 pick
Cornerback is a sneaky position of need and it wouldn't be surprising if the team takes a corner much earlier than most are expecting. In this mock, the Chargers instead take one of the best mid-to-late round corners in this year's class, Chandler Rivers.
Rivers has real breakout potential as someone from a smaller program who can really blossom in the NFL. He was nothing short of lockdown in college and has ample experience playing on the outside. This is exactly the kind of prospect the Chargers can turn into a difference-maker, just like Tarheeb Still.
With the final pick in this draft, the Chargers bolster the defensive line with Michigan's Rayshaun Benny. The Chargers have a direct line to Benny via Jim Harbaugh, who coached and recruited the defensive tackle.