If you believe what you read in the mock drafts that flood the internet this time of year, the LA Chargers will be selecting Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall pick.
Of course, mock drafts are official for nothing and are used to spark a conversation. However, you will find very few mock drafts right now that don’t have the Chargers taking Herbert, the quarterback from Oregon, with their first-round selection.
That shows that many people are in agreement that he makes sense at that spot.
It doesn’t seem like the Chargers will have a chance to get Tua Tagovailoa. The former Alabama passer is seeing a rise in his stock as we get closer to the draft and the concerns over his injury history are dissipating.
That makes Herbert a logical selection. But in the event the Chargers choose not to take him, who could be the team’s first-round choice?
Isaiah Simmons
Simmons is one of the best overall defensive players in this draft. His versatility is off the charts as he can play linebacker or safety. He is equally strong against the run and the pass and could be the kind of chess piece that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley could work wonders with.
If the Chargers don’t go with Herbert, Simmons would probably be the top alternative.
Jordan Love
Love is another quarterback that should get first-round consideration. He is a physically gifted passer that could end up being a game-changer for the team that decides to take a chance on him. Herbert may be the “safer” pick but Love could end up having the better pro career.
Offensive tackle
Fas are going to want the team to take an offensive tackle early in this draft and guys like Jedrick Wills and Andrew Thomas could be had with the No. 6 overall pick. If the Chargers choose to move on from Russell Okung, it just makes the need for another tackle even bigger.
Trading down
Trading back in the first round in order to acquire extra picks while still getting a coveted player is another option on the board. Much of this will depend on what happens with the first five picks but if the Chargers don’t feel like there is a can’t-miss player at No. 6, they could trade back, get some extra picks and likely still be able to draft a player like Love, Wills or Thomas.
But right now, the top choice for the team seems to be Herbert. Will he be the choice at No. 6 or will one of these other players be heading to Los Angeles?