Los Angeles Chargers midseason 2020 mock draft

Chargers seventh-round selection: Kelly Bryant, quarterback, Missouri

It’s tough to justify to a fanbase that a team should select a quarterback when they already have a young one on the squad in Stick. The point isn’t to draft the future here, it is to select some potential future trade bait.

New England excels at this, drafting both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett as backups to Tom Brady, only to trade both to the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. This is why I am a firm believer in drafting the late-round quarterback you believe in most every single year. It’s an invaluable tactic and you always have the necessary depth.

In this case, I’ll pick the late-round quarterback I believe in. Kelly Bryant. Bryant is listed as 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, out of Missouri. Bryant displays the timing and short accuracy you want from a safe late-round pick.

He isn’t a risky, strong arm, high ceiling quarterback with an extremely low floor. He is a smart, safe, progression read quarterback that isn’t limited from a mental standpoint. He goes through progressions as well as any quarterback in this class and has the accuracy from the short to intermediate-range to go along with it.

Again, under pressure, maneuvering well around the pocket, finds a man at the chains that gives them a chance if they want to attempt a QB sneak or dive.

He is accurate, he is one of the smarter QBs in the class, he is mobile, he is a leader. Give me Bryant in 2020. pic.twitter.com/A1zLN1tmGr

— Jason Balliet II (@Syntari13) November 15, 2019

Bryant also displays touch that few quarterbacks have this year. While he doesn’t have the zip or arm strength to push the ball down the field or make tight-window throws, he does have the touch to get the ball where it needs to be. This is especially the case on his anticipatory throws, which aren’t common for him, but they are there.

Once Bryant is locked in, it’s tough to knock him out of his groove, as he will pick apart a defense over the course of a game, taking what it gives him no matter the coverage looks.

No doubt Bryant doesn’t look as solid at Missouri as he did at Clemson. The weapons that he does have around him are rather young, and the offensive line isn’t as solid, but he has still put up film that would intrigue some teams such as the New Orleans Saints, New England, or other teams that value safe, smart options at the position.

The Chargers should include themselves in that mix because my personal opinion is that Bryant, if given the opportunity, can be a star in the league.