Chargers Land Elite SEC Shutdown CB in 2027 NFL Mock Draft

Sports admin September 20, 2026 0 Comments

Chargers Land Elite SEC Shutdown CB in 2027 NFL Mock Draft

Going into their Week 2 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders and coming off their very disappointing 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, the Los Angeles Chargers have plenty of questions to answer. Those questions don’t just concern their offense, which didn’t look like what was expected under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

Their defense let Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett produce at a Pro Bowl level and couldn’t get stops when needed. While the Chargers have two prominent pass rushers in Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack, as well as a star safety in Derwin James Jr., they could use a little help at the cornerback position.

To that end, Todd McShay has them taking a potential shutdown cornerback from the always competitive SEC in his latest 2027 NFL mock draft.

Ellis Robinson IV could shore up L.A.’s secondary

At pick No. 20, McShay predicts the Bolts will take Ellis Robinson IV from the University of Georgia who is starting his third season in the NCAA.

“Robinson is a young, ascending perimeter corner with fluid movement skills and the natural hands of a former receiver,” McShay wrote. “He competes at the line, makes plays on the football, and has the confidence to recover quickly after giving up a completion. He needs to get stronger and sharpen his press technique, but the foundation is there for him to become a playmaking NFL starter.

“If Robinson can hold up outside, Chargers DC Chris O’Leary can keep disguising his split-safety coverages and deploying Derwin James Jr. as the movable chess piece.”

Robinson is a bit undersized at six feet and 180 pounds. But he is very athletic and quick, and he has been timed at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He has the ability and willingness to stay with opposing receivers on vertical routes, although he does gamble a bit, which makes him vulnerable to giving up big-yardage plays.

For last season, including postseason games, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him a 68.3 coverage grade, a 74.9 run defense grade and an overall grade of 69.1. He had seven passes defended and four interceptions in 2025.

In three games this season, he has two passes defended, and he has gotten PFF grades of 74.5 on coverage, 64.2 on run defense, 82.7 for tackling and an overall grade of 74.6.

Robinson is considered one of the top corner prospects in the nation right now, even though scouts and experts feel he has quite a bit of work to do before he can succeed at the next level. But if he makes those improvements, he could help improve the Chargers’ defense for years to come — if he’s available when they’re on the clock.

This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM.