LA Chargers: Ranking all 8 of Tom Telesco’s draft classes

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) – LA Chargers

3. The 2020 Chargers draft class

Selections: Justin Herbert, Kenneth Murray, Joshua Kelley, Joe Reed, Alohi Gilman, K.J. Hill

This draft class could also move significantly on this list based on how the next several years pan out but right now, it is the third-best draft class that Telesco has put together.

The main reason is Justin Herbert. While picking Herbert at six was perhaps the most obvious pick in the draft, Telesco did not buy into the Jordan Love and thankfully did not sign Tom Brady and end up drafting a tackle (although, Jedrick Wills would be nice).

Instead, the Chargers got their franchise quarterback who is having the best rookie season for a quarterback in league history. It is reallllllly easy to mess up a quarterback pick (just ask Josh Rosen and Mitchell Trubisky) and the Chargers didn’t.

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The team also got a really talented and promising inside linebacker in Kenneth Murray. Murray struggled a lot to start the season but has gotten better and better as the year goes on and personally, I attribute his hiccups in his rookie season due to Gus Bradley severely misusing him as a coverage linebacker.

I still absolutely hate the selection of Joshua Kelley and Alohi Gilman will never be more than a rotational safety and special teamer. However, I think Joe Reed has a lot of potential if the team would just utilize him more and K.J. Hill will eventually blossom into a solid slot target (it takes time).

If Murray takes a step back and the back-four picks don’t live up to their potential then this class might rank as low as fifth.

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