Chargers 2027 NFL Draft target: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

It is not how anyone in Los Angeles envisioned the first month of the season. But at 0-4, the reality has set in for the Chargers. While the team fights to turn the ship around week by week, fans are already looking ahead to the offseason. With a top draft pick increasingly likely, it is time to reb

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What is the story about?

It is not how anyone in Los Angeles envisioned the first month of the season. But at 0-4, the reality has set in for the Chargers. While the team fights to turn the ship around week by week, fans are already looking ahead to the offseason. With a top draft pick increasingly likely, it is time to rebuild this roster to turn things around.

To kick off our 2027 NFL Draft scouting report series, we are diving headfirst into arguably the best player in college football and potentially the No. 1 overall selection: Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Vitals

Height: 6-4

Weight: 222

College Bio Page

Elevator pitch

Smith is an elite wide receiver prospect with the size, speed, and spectacular ball skills. He excels as an explosive vertical deep threat and an advanced route

runner who can effortlessly manipulate defensive leverage, high-point 50/50 balls, and generate yards after the catch, projecting as a long-term cornerstone piece.

Strengths

Prototypical frame with elite size, long arms, and remarkable functional strength... 4.4 speed, accelerates off the snap quickly to eat cushion instantly and get behind the defense... Exceptional ball skills and body control, routinely making difficult and contested catches look effortless... Explosive route-runner who can beat defensive backs with physicality and hand fighting techniques... Remarkably low drop rate (1.8%)... Shows the power and vision to create after the catch... X-receiver, but can be lined up at any other receiver position, as well as in the backfield... Record-breaking production, capturing Ohio State's triple crown in career receptions, yards, and touchdowns faster than any receiver in program history.

Weaknesses

Because of his physical advantages, he can occasionally rely on raw athleticism over technical precision at the top of his routes... Effort comes and goes as a run blocker... Enters the NFL with high mileage due to a massive, immediate target volume since his true freshman season.

Awards

2026: Maxwell National Player of the Week

2026: Walter Camp National Player of the Week

2025: Unanimous First-Team All-American

2025: Big Ten Receiver of the Year

2024: CFP National Champion

2024: Big Ten Freshman of the Year

2024: Big Ten Receiver of the Year

2024: Rose Bowl Offensive MVP

Red Flags

N/A

Fit Likelihood

High: Smith would be the dream scenario for the Chargers as they will look to revamp the passing game around quarterback Justin Herbert. With his gifted skill set, Smith would give the offense a true blue-chip receiver who can single-handedly take over games when the ball is thrown his way. He would project as a plug-and-play, alpha WR1 for the Bolts, with the potential to be the best wideout of the next decade.

Grade

No. 1 overall player

Highlights

Top 10 Fastest Max Speed | Week 5

9 | 20.2 MPH Jeremiah Smith @Jermiah_Smith1 WR Ohio State

IGA Score™ : 94.6#ReelSpeed pic.twitter.com/WWJSG6MYYw
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 5, 2026

Jeremiah Smith is the best to ever play. This is your offense. Feed him more pic.twitter.com/2gO53pkoaR
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) October 3, 2026

Jeremiah Smith had Illinois’ DB absolutely LOST on this 72-yard TD.

The Buckeyes WR has 123 receiving yards and 2 TD’s in just the FIRST quarter 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/Kmq5agG8Ai
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) September 26, 2026

Double cover him, hold him, PI… does NOT matter. You cannot cover Jeremiah Smith! 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/kKPrby9Q8V https://t.co/70Lm7OSNPN
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 3, 2026

Jeremiah Smith’s burst off the LOS as a 220+ pound WR is pretty incredible. Terrifying vertical threat at his size.

Smith led the Power 4 in yards per route run in 2025 (3.43). pic.twitter.com/MG9YsdwEVu
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) April 29, 2026

Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football. His body control and ball tracking are ridiculous. Heisman season loading? pic.twitter.com/XFv9OgYfgk
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 13, 2026