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Chargers improve draft position tremendously following loss

By Tyler Schoon

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Los Angeles Chargers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Los Angeles Chargers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Chargers weren’t going to finish the season with a winning record, but their string of losses since being eliminated have been a victory so far.

The Chargers were the 10th pick, then the ninth pick, and have now moved all the way to the seventh selection in the 2020 NFL Draft following a loss to the Raiders and victories by the Jets and Cardinals.

According to Pro Football Reference, the 10th overall selection has a value of 1300. Seventh, on the other hand, has a value of 1500. For reference, the 78th pick in the draft (third round) is worth 200 points, the difference in value between the 10th and seventh selections.

It certainly makes things more interesting heading into the offseason, particularly if they feel the need to move on from Philip Rivers and draft a quarterback of the future immediately. Don’t get your hopes up about a trade for the No. 1 pick, but at the very least having the seventh overall pick makes things much more possible.

Fans need to start entertaining the idea that not only will the Chargers take Tua Tagovailoa, but they will need to trade up to do so. Either the Dolphins or Jaguars could take the second quarterback following Joe Burrow, and the Chargers’ chances of drafting their favorite non-Burrow quarterback diminish even further should the Lions express interest or the Redskins make drastic organizational changes and ship Dwayne Haskins. Whether the Chargers should draft or pass on the Alabama quarterback will be one of the biggest questions facing the organization all offseason.

Forget the first round for a moment. The second round is potentially even more fun for the Chargers, as they can nab a number of Day 1 sliders and solid prospects. Dalton Risner, the Broncos’ second-round selection last year, was the ninth pick in that round.

Next. Why Austin Ekeler's success wasn't out of the blue

Forrest Lamp was by far the biggest draft-day steal in 2017 (at the time of the draft), and he was taken with the sixth pick in the second round. The Chargers, who should be looking at an offensive tackle following a quarterback selection, could snag a Lamp or Risner in the second round.

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