One Surprising Pick in the Chargers’ 2027 Mock Draft That Actually Makes Sense

The Los Angeles Chargers have a problem most teams would envy. They’ve got Justin Herbert in his prime, a 13.5-sack edge rusher in Tuli Tuipulotu heading into a contract year, and a coaching staff trying to modernize the offense. But the roster is getting expensive fast, and depth doesn’t come cheap in the NFL.

So when I ran the PFF mock draft simulator for 2027 — yes, it’s early, but that’s the point — the results actually told a pretty clear story. The Chargers aren’t looking for flash. They’re looking for fits.

Round 1: A Big Target Herbert Hasn’t Had

The pick at No. 24 is KJ Duff, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound receiver out of Rutgers. And no, he’s not just a red-zone guy. Duff broke out in 2025 with real vertical production and enough speed to make corners pay if they play him soft. Herbert has never had a receiver this big who can actually separate. The concern? Whether Duff can consistently create space against NFL corners. But in an offense built on timing and spacing, a 6-foot-6 target who can win contested catches changes the math in the red zone immediately.

Round 2: The Tight End Who Just Works

Terrance Carter Jr. out of Texas Tech is 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, which isn’t prototypical size for a tight end. But the guy catches everything. He transferred from Louisiana and kept producing, working the seams and picking up yards after contact. For an offense that wants to attack the middle of the field, Carter is the kind of mismatch linebacker can’t handle. He’s not a classic inline blocker, but modern tight ends don’t need to be when they can split out and create problems.

Rounds 3 and 4: Protecting the Investment

Luke Montgomery from Ohio State fell to the third round in this simulation, and that’s a steal. He’s got starting experience in the Big Ten, power at the point of attack, and enough athleticism to pull and block in space. The Chargers aren’t drafting him to make headlines. They’re drafting him to keep Herbert upright.

Then there’s Anthonie Knapp from Notre Dame in the fourth round. He played early at Notre Dame and faced top competition. Some scouts see him as a tackle, others think he moves inside. But versatility is the value here. A swing tackle who can also play guard is exactly the kind of insurance a team with a $50 million quarterback needs.

The Quarterback Nobody’s Talking About

This is the interesting one. In the fourth round, the simulator grabbed John Mateer from Oklahoma. The Chargers don’t need a starter, but they do need a developmental backup. Mateer is athletic, has enough arm to hit intermediate windows, and can extend plays when things break down. The issue is consistency — his deep ball and decision-making come and go. But behind Herbert, with no pressure to start, that’s exactly the kind of project worth a fourth-round flier.

Day 3 Fills: Running Back, Linebacker, Another Receiver

Dylan Riley from Boise State in the fifth round is a back with burst and hands. He’s not huge, but he runs decisively and protects the ball. In an offense that asks backs to hit the edge fast, Riley could earn rotational snaps quickly.

Austin Romaine from Texas Tech in the sixth round is a classic sixth-round linebacker. He finds the ball, tackles well, and can cover kicks. The Chargers need cheap defensive depth. Romaine gives them that.

And then Jaden Bray from West Virginia in the seventh round is a 6-foot-2 receiver who’s bounced around a bit but has shown contested-catch ability and vertical threat potential. For a seventh-round pick, you’re looking for a training camp competitor. Bray fits.

Look, this draft class isn’t going to sell jerseys. But it does something more important. It gives the Chargers size at receiver, a productive tight end, offensive line depth, a developmental quarterback, and Day 3 players who can contribute on special teams. That’s how you build around an expensive core without breaking the bank. And for a team that’s one injury away from a lost season, that kind of planning matters.