It is officially draft day and the 2020 NFL Draft is only hours away (or has already happened, if you are coming back and reading this to see if I was correct). For the LA Chargers, today could either be a very exciting day, or could be a big letdown.
The Chargers have the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and it seems like a big portion of the fanbase wants to see the team draft Tua Tagovailoa. Some like Justin Herbert, some like Jordan Love, but most want to see the Chargers draft a quarterback at six.
The compelling part about the 2020 NFL Draft and how it pertains to the Chargers is that their selection is completely reliant on whatever the Miami Dolphins do. The Dolphins are the true wild cards in this situation and the Chargers’ job is to react to what Miami does.
Anything can happen in the first six picks and it will be nice to have some sort of sports on TV to serve as a distraction for everyone around the country. With the anticipation eagerly building, here is my best shot as guessing what happens in the first six picks in the draft.
The first six picks and how it affects the LA Chargers:
Now, I should make this clear: this is what I think is the most likely outcome with the top-six picks. I do not necessarily want this to happen.
The first two picks are absolute locks, so we should just pencil those in right now. No reason to even bother debating or discussing what could happen. We all know what will happen.
- Cincinnati Bengals draft Joe Burrow first overall
- Washington Redskins draft Chase Young second overall
The third overall pick is where it gets interesting. If I was the general manager of the Detroit Lions, I would look at the Dolphins and Chargers, who both need a quarterback and want the second shot at one, and maximize that situation.
Realistically, the best fits for the Lions are either Jeff Okudah or Isaiah Simmons. The team could flirt with the idea of drafting a quarterback and interview QB prospects all they want, it does not make sense to use this selection on a quarterback with Matthew Stafford.
If anything, with a talented quarterback class next year as well, the Lions could take solace in knowing that they can give Stafford one last run at winning a playoff game before transitioning next year. Use this year and this pick to bolster Matt Patricia’s defense.
It is almost a guarantee that one of Simmons or Okudah will be available with the sixth overall pick if the Detroit Lions move down, which you will see play out in the prediction that I have outlined.
The Lions approach both the Dolphins and Chargers and let them know that the third pick is up for grabs and whoever sends the better trade package gets the selection. Miami, not wanting to miss out on picking a quarterback second, obliges and sends the 39th pick and a 2021 third to move up two spots.
- Miami Dolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa third overall
That leaves the New York Giants, who don’t really factor into the equation for the LA Chargers at all, with the fourth pick. The Giants would be foolish not to draft an offensive tackle and it all depends on who they value the most on the board.
Personally, I like Jedrick Wills the most out of any tackle prospect, although this is the most interchangeable selection in the draft.
- New York Giants draft Jedrick Wills fourth overall
The Lions are back on the clock and have their choice between Isaiah Simmons and Jeff Okudah. Simmons is a freak athlete who can play anywhere on the field and is quite the prospect for Matt Patricia to build up.
However, the secondary is a much bigger need for the team than a linebacker, so the Lions find their replacement to Darius Slay.
- Detroit Lions draft Jeff Okudah fifth overall
Finally, we get to the LA Chargers. They do not get the second choice at quarterback and instead are left with a decision to make between Justin Herbert and Jordan Love.
Some fans would want to see the team draft Simmons at this point (Hi, Alex!), and while I certainly am not opposed to it, I cannot see the LA Chargers passing a quarterback by with this selection. With the quarterback likely sitting a year behind Tyrod Taylor, getting that fifth-year first-round option is massive, hence why they need to use a first-round pick on a quarterback.
You could make the case for the team drafting Simmons and trading back into the first round to snag either Herbert or Love, but with other holes on the depth chart, I don’t think the Chargers will trade draft capital to give themselves a chance to draft Simmons when linebacker is not the biggest need.
I don’t love it, and while I personally would rather see the LA Chargers draft Isaiah Simmons…
- LA Chargers draft Justin Herbert sixth overall
I don’t love Justin Herbert, but I certainly like him a lot more with the sixth overall pick than I would Jordan Love.