Step 2: The draft
If the Chargers remain at No. 6 in the first round in the upcoming draft, they will have a couple of options. First, they can take Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, a strong arm quarterback that has proven himself to be mobile enough to be on the Chargers’ radar.
Herbert is more of a project than people admit, but he showed great things at the Senior Bowl that gave me hope that he can be a franchise guy moving forward. Herbert concerns me with his lack of development as a quarterback over his year at Oregon, but the development over the course of his week at Mobile gives me comfort.
Also, we can’t forget to mention you would be getting a top-three arm in the NFL the second you draft him. The guy can sling a football.
Next, you have Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, who has other concerns. Where Herbert’s problem is more with processing and general awareness, Tua’s concerns are with his durability.
Tagovailoa is a fantastic, accurate quarterback, maybe the most accurate quarterback you could ever find coming out of a draft. With the injuries though, you’d find it hard to convince me that the Chargers should take a franchise signal-caller at No.6 that has injury concerns.
The last realistic option in the first round, to me, is Jordan Love out of Utah State. Love is less of a project than many seem to believe. In fact, Love is probably the most technically sound quarterback I have scouted over the last three drafts.
His release is lightning fast, his processing is fantastic when the play call allows it, and his mobility is probably the best in this class. Love had the absolute worst supporting cast out of any of the top options in this class, yet still, put up the tape that led many to believe he is worthy of a top 10 pick.
There are quite a few directions the Chargers can go this offseason, and it is a great year to need a quarterback. There are options in free agency, early in the draft, and late in the draft that all fit what the Chargers look for in a quarterback.
Should the team not believe in these early-round guys, there are always players that fit what they are looking for later on, such as Jalen Hurts, Kelly Bryant, or Tyler Huntley. For now, all we can do is wait and see.