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LA Chargers: Projecting the 2020 offensive depth chart

By Alexander Insdorf

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 15: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 39-10. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 15: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 39-10. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Prior to an explosive LA Chargers offseason with free agency and the 2020 NFL draft quickly approaching, here’s a look at what the offense may look like by September.

As the calendar turns to March, big changes are in store for the Chargers when the 2020 league year kicks off. Without Philip Rivers, 2020 will take a very different tone on offense, regardless of the other changes the Chargers make.

What happens with key free agents like Melvin Gordon and Hunter Henry? Trying to project a whole offense can be tough, but using the draft, free agency, and what we generally know about Tom Telesco and Anthony Lynn’s roster construction, it’s doable.

Quarterbacks: Tyrod Taylor, Justin Herbert, Easton Stick

Quarterback is probably the hardest position to really predict. It’s officially smokescreen season in the NFL. One day, Anthony Lynn will talk about how Tyrod Taylor may be the lead candidate to take the starting quarterback job. The next day, he’ll speak from the NFL combine about how the team doesn’t need a mobile quarterback and point out the winning free agent Tom Brady has done.

Regardless of what the Chargers might do with hot free agent names like Brady or Teddy Bridgewater, the probability of taking a quarterback with the sixth pick remains high.

Keeping in line with my current February mock draft, Justin Herbert ends up being the pick here. Herbert isn’t really the most pro-ready quarterback at this point.

Other than Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, I’m not certain there are other quarterbacks ready to start immediately in this draft. Herbert sitting for a year in the backup role while having time to develop seems like the most likely option. Behind him, 2019 fifth-round pick Easton Stick remains on the roster.

While things could change in free agency, Taylor is probably in the lead to be the 2020 Chargers starting quarterback. While the signing of Brady, Bridgewater, or another prized free-agent quarterback wouldn’t be shocking, the link between Lynn and Taylor working together seems palpable. They’ve done it before, and in a bridge role, they do it again.

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