Chargers draft quarterback in 2020 mock, but that’s not the real story

The 2019 NFL draft is still fresh in our minds, but that doesn’t mean that draft analysis aren’t already projecting how the 2020 selection process will play out.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has already put out his first-round mock for the 2020 draft and though it can all be taken with a grain of salt, there are some interesting notes we can take from it.

Every year at this time, you can start seeing mock drafts for the next season but things change so much that it’s really nothing more than a shot in the dark. Last year, I remember seeing Ed Oliver as the consensus No.1 overall pick in 2019. That wasn’t far off, at least not as far off as the year Da’Quon Bowers was put in that slot.

Who? Exactly.

For McShay, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is the top guy on his board. He also has the Los Angeles Chargers selecting a quarterback, taking Nate Stanley out of Iowa.

This would be an interesting first-round choice for the team and would be the first time the Chargers have taken a quarterback in the first round since drafting Eli Manning No.1 overall in 2004.

The Chargers also just drafted Easton Stick and will presumably still have both Philip Rivers and Tyrod Taylor on the roster.

More from Bolt Beat

• LA Chargers: 3 early takeaways from 2021 minicamp thus far
• LA Chargers: Drue Tranquill takes a jab at Gus Bradley’s defense
• LA Chargers second-year players: Nothing lose and a lot to gain
• LA Chargers: Why running back could be a big issue for the Bolts
• LA Chargers: Chris Rumph’s upside is Melvin Ingram-like, but better

But the most interesting note to take from this mock is where the Chargers make their first-round selection, No. 31 in the first round. McShay notes that he didn’t make the draft order but that it was created by a formula used by Football Outsiders.

What that essentially means is that this formula sees the Chargers as the AFC champions, losing in the Super Bowl to the New Orleans Saints. Of course, it’s hard to put the Chargers ahead of the New England Patriots, especially based on last year’s playoff loss, but in this scenario, that is the case.

Also of note, the rest of the AFC West teams would select their first-round picks in this order, according to Football Outsiders:

Denver Broncos- No. 3

Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders: No. 5

Kansas City Chiefs: No. 26

The Chargers are starting to be seen as one of the league’s powerhouse teams and that is something that should give the fanbase a lot of encouragement heading into the upcoming season.