It is not how anyone in Los Angeles envisioned the first month of the season. But at 0-5, 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.
Continuing our 2027 NFL Draft scouting report series, we highlight Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons.
Vitals
Height: 6-3
Weight: 246
College Bio Page
Elevator pitch
Simmons is an explosive, hyper-productive edge rusher with All-Pro potential. Capable of playing from a two-point stance or with his hand in the dirt, he creates constant backfield chaos with an elite first step, rare bend, and a relentless motor. Simmons projects as a prolific
pass-rush specialist who can command game plans and elevate a defensive unit from any alignment, yet he will need to improve his run-defense anchor and develop more counters.
Strengths
Elite initial burst and an explosive first step that instantly stresses offensive tackles... Exceptional ankle flexibility and loose hips, showing rare bend to dip under blockers, maintain velocity, and flatten his path to the quarterback... Relentless, non-stop motor that shows in backside pursuit, routinely tracking down ball carriers... Solid speed-to-power conversion, using his momentum to catch tackles off-balance with a long arm move, shock their chests, and collapse the pocket... Good eyes, always knows where the football is... Can play with his hand in the dirt or in a two-point stance... Used in a variety of ways other than rushing from the outside (Stunts, flat zone coverage)... Set a school record with 5.5 sacks against Tennessee in 2026.
Weaknesses
Slightly undersized frame and average length, which limits his ability to anchor in the run game... Raw hand technique, occasionally allowing blockers to get inside his frame and stall his primary rush plan when he doesn't win immediately... Lacks a consistent secondary pass-rush counter, sometimes getting neutralized on plays if his speed or dip-and-rip move is anticipated.
Awards
- 2026: Midseason SEC Top Defensive Player, Multi-time National Player of the Week (Bednarik, Nagurski, Walter Camp)
- 2025: First-Team All-SEC, Second-Team All-American
- 2024: Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year, FWAA Freshman All-American
Red flags
N/A
Fit likelihood
Medium: The Chargers are bracing for a transition up front, as veteran Khalil Mack will likely be gone next offseason, if not this season via trade. While it may not be as pressing a need as wide receiver or cornerback, and because they already have promising foundational pieces in Tuli Tuipulotu and Akheem Mesidor, you can never have too many good players at a premier position like edge rusher. Simmons would give coordinator Chris O'Leary's defense an athletic piece to add to his rotation. His scheme versatility to play as a hybrid linebacker or edge rusher aligns perfectly with modern NFL packages, giving the Bolts a blue-chip force to disrupt passing offenses and close out games.
Grade
Top-5 overall player
Highlights
#Texas EDGE Colin Simmons making it look EASY for his 8th sack of the year.
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) October 10, 2026
Top-5 player on my Big Board. pic.twitter.com/9Pe4yil73h
Colin Simmons is a Clowney-caliber gamewrecker
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 1, 2025
Top 10 pick in 2027 pic.twitter.com/vMHvsAWl8f
Texas EDGE Colin Simmons (#1) is a killer from wider alignments. First step + bend is a difficult task to handle on the outside track. pic.twitter.com/7E9xuJtqmM
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) May 19, 2026
Colin Simmons | EDGE | Texas | 6-3, 255
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) August 3, 2026
SEC leader in sacks in 2025 (12.0). Primarily plays as a standup. Electric first step and burst to close. High effort player. pic.twitter.com/GSbHFRHYYp
Colin Simmons’ speed rush is so scary that he threatens it to get the OT to overset and uses that momentum against him. The balance and change of direction are impressive.
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 13, 2026
Simmons was Top 10 nationally in pressures last season (59). pic.twitter.com/NCHwP3MnJ6
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers 2027 NFL Draft target: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons
