merkxo'S MOCK DRAFT
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merkxo'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON JAN 15, 2026

1/15 p2

  • merkxo DRAFTING FOR THE
    Chargers
Draft Selections
Olaivavega Ioane Head Shot
PICK: 26 RND: 1 (LAC)
Olaivavega Ioane
OG Penn State
Jake Slaughter Head Shot
PICK: 55 RND: 2 (LAC)
Jake Slaughter
C Florida
Ja'Kobi Lane Head Shot
PICK: 86 RND: 3 (LAC)
Ja'Kobi Lane
WR USC
Nicholas Singleton Head Shot
PICK: 91 RND: 3 (LAC)
Nicholas Singleton
RB Penn State
Tim Keenan III Head Shot
PICK: 123 RND: 4 (LAC)
Tim Keenan III
DL Alabama
Vincent Anthony Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 126 RND: 4 (LAC)
Vincent Anthony Jr.
DE-EDGE Duke
Xavier Nwankpa Head Shot
PICK: 167 RND: 5 (LAC)
Xavier Nwankpa
S Iowa
Draft Picks Received
Olaivavega Ioane Head Shot
PICK: 26 RND: 1 (BUF)
Olaivavega Ioane
OG Penn State
Nicholas Singleton Head Shot
PICK: 91 RND: 3 (BUF)
Nicholas Singleton
RB Penn State
Vincent Anthony Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 126 RND: 4 (BUF)
Vincent Anthony Jr.
DE-EDGE Duke
Xavier Nwankpa Head Shot
PICK: 167 RND: 5 (BUF)
Xavier Nwankpa
S Iowa
No Pick Head Shot
PICK: RND: 5 (BUF)
NEXT YEAR (2027)
 
Draft Picks Traded
Arvell Reese Head Shot
PICK: 22 RND: 1 (BUF)
Arvell Reese
LB Ohio State
Players Gained
Head Shot
Larry Ogunjobi
DT
Draft Grade — Chargers
Overall B
ValueC+ NeedB TradesA+ FutureB-
A masterclass at the trade table lands the Chargers a B.

Nobody else had Vincent Anthony Jr. anywhere near the 126th overall pick. The Chargers did, by 53 spots, and that gap is the whole story. No fireworks, but a solid B.

The phones were where this weekend was really won. They will regret leaving cornerback for another day if the season turns on it.

However the rest shakes out, Lane at that price is a win they earned.

A competent weekend that does not make headlines and does not need to.

Pick Analysis
Pick26 Rnd1 Olaivavega Ioane
In the Round 1 slot they get a cornerstone up front, though they paid up to get him. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick55 Rnd2 Jake Slaughter
A reasonable price with a little left over, Jake Slaughter in Round 2, Pick 23. It fills a real need, too.
Pick86 Rnd3 Ja'Kobi Lane
The board fumbled Ja'Kobi Lane all the way to pick No. 86, and they scooped it up. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick91 Rnd3 Nicholas Singleton
No edge and no loss on Nicholas Singleton in pick 91; it is a wash and a sensible one. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Pick123 Rnd4 Tim Keenan III
They jumped the gun on Tim Keenan III, taking him earlier than his grade liked. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick126 Rnd4 Vincent Anthony Jr.
A wild overpay on Vincent Anthony Jr. in the 126th pick, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick167 Rnd5 Xavier Nwankpa
Xavier Nwankpa at the Round 5 slot is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.