LA Chargers: Ranking the ceiling of the 2020 draft picks

2: Kenneth Murray, Linebacker

Second in the rankings here is linebacker Kenneth Murray.

For fans wanting a fast, rangy linebacker with a penchant for making big plays, Murray is your guy.

Murray is a big, physical linebacker that loves to play downhill football. He has shown an excellent ability to diagnose run plays and beats blockers with speed on his way to plenty of tackles for loss.

Furthermore, Murray’s speed gives him excellent potential to shut down opposing running backs and linebackers in man coverage, although he was not asked to do that much in college. He performed decently in zone coverage at Oklahoma, although he needs better recognition of route patterns.

Although Murray’s aggressiveness is part of what makes him great, it also costs him at times. He bites too often on play-action, and he is often beat by misdirection plays. He also can be beaten when locked up by a blocker, and he needs work on technique to disengage from blocks. Fortunately, most of these mistakes are correctable.

The sky is the limit for Kenneth Murray, who has the potential to become one of the game’s best sideline-to-sideline three-down linebackers.

1: Justin Herbert, Quarterback

Topping this list is just the player you would hope to see here in quarterback Justin Herbert.

Physically, you simply could not design a quarterback with better physical attributes. At 6’6″ and 236 pounds, Herbert will have no trouble making reads over NFL linemen, and he has the size to hold up to physical contact at the next level.

Far more importantly, Justin Herbert has the best arm in the 2020 draft class. He may not have the elite production of Joe Burrow, the touch of Tua Tagovailoa, or the creativity of Jordan Love, but Justin Herbert has the arm to make elite throws down the field into tight coverage that these other guys simply cannot do.

Justin Herbert — size, arm talent, and athleticism. @MattBowen41 shows his ability to drive the ball into a tight window and his traits as a runner. @gregcosell | #NFLDraft2020 @NFLFilms | @espn pic.twitter.com/tq4N8S4ZJS

— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) April 21, 2020

To go with that elite arm, Herbert also has adequate speed to be a threat as a runner at the next level. This trait makes him a perfect fit for an Anthony Lynn offense.

Of course, Justin Herbert will need to work on his touch throws, consistency, and ability to read defenses to reach this elite level in the NFL. Fortunately, the Chargers are prepared to give him time to grow and learn. If Justin Herbert puts it all together, the Chargers might have struck gold with the elite attributes that Herbert brings to the table.