Today is the day! The Cincinnati Bengals are 12 hours away from being on the clock.
The Chargers enter this draft in hopes of carrying the momentum that they have from free agency to solidify an already talented roster.
With seven picks from Rounds 1-7, Los Angeles will have every opportunity to knock it out of the park. But how can they put together the “perfect” draft?
Here’s exactly how L.A. can get an A-plus draft haul:
Find the quarterback of the future
The Chargers appear to have a lot of faith in Tyrod Taylor, but it remains to be seen if that’s for this season or for the long run. There’s 100% chance that Taylor is going to start under center for the 2020 season, but there’s no guarantee that he’s going to for the 2021 season since his contract is up after this year, which is why they need a plan for the future.
The Bolts have picked in the top-10 three times in the past 15 years. They need to use today’s selection on a quarterback. They need a player at the most important position on the field who can develop into a player who can win games by making things happen in big moments, which is what Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert is capable of doing.
Each player has their concerns, but they still have plenty of upside. Development in certain areas is key with Herbert and allowing Tagovailoa another year to redshirt to heal his hip will likely be required. But that is the beauty of having Taylor serve as the bridge. Let whichever one it is sit this upcoming season and let them take over the following season.
Tua is seen as one of the Dolphins’ top targets, but if general manager Tom Telesco sees him for the elite passer that he is and believes he can stay healthy at the next level, go trade up for him and don’t second guess it. No matter who you’re taking at the quarterback position in the draft, it’s always a gamble.
There’s been many on board with passing up on a quarterback all together to take a defensive player or offensive tackle in the first-round and taking Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts on Day 2, but I’m not as high on him as others are. Hurts possesses the adequate arm strength, mobility and leadership skills, but he has too many inconsistencies as a passer for my liking.
Bolster the offensive line
The Chargers are making it clear that they’re rebuilding the offensive line by trading for guard Trai Turner and tackle Bryan Bulaga. With the additions of those two, the right side of the line is looking strong, but the rest of the line is still a work in progress.
It remains to be seen if the team believes in Trey Pipkins as the starting left tackle in Year 2. Center Mike Pouncey has not been cleared to play yet after sustaining a severe neck injury. And it’s an unknown if Dan Feeney or Forrest Lamp can be reliable starters at left guard.
That is why the offensive tackle position is seen as the first glaring need that needs to be addressed. However, it wouldn’t be a huge loss if they miss out on one of the top-four tackles thanks to the class being one of the deepest in this year’s draft.
If the Bolts elect to draft their quarterback of the future in Round 1, they should target a tackle in Round 2 to compete for the starting job with the likes of Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland, USC’s Austin Jackson, Houston’s Josh Jones, UConn’s Matt Peart or St. John’s Ben Bartch.
Along with that, a mid to late-round offensive linemen that offers versatility needs to be considered for more depth in case injuries occur. Kansas’ Hakeem Adeniji, Auburn’s Jack Driscoll or Charlotte’s Cameron Clark would be great options.
Bring in another weapon
What better way to welcome a rookie quarterback by adding protection and giving him a plethora of weapons to throw to? With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams leading the pack, they need a solid WR3 after no one showed up in that role last season.
By addressing other key positions of need in free agency, Telesco has an opportunity to take advantage of a very deep and talented wide receiver class. One of the primary things that needs to be a key focal point with whoever is drafted is speed, which is something the positional group is lacking.
Luckily, there are a slew of play-makers that can be found in Day 2 and 3 that should catch the attention of the Chargers.
Defense, defense, defense
The Chargers could enter Week 1 as one of the best defenses in the league with the starters that they have right now. But there are still concerns that lie at the linebacker, cornerback and nose tackle position in regards to the depth at each one.
Denzel Perryman has one more year remaining on his contract. Is Kyzir White to be counted on? Does the team believe in Michael Davis as the permanent starter opposite of Casey Hayward? Linval Joseph brings a huge boost, but who is going to be the one to back him up?
It wouldn’t be all that surprising if the linebacker position is addressed as early as Round 1 with Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, but there are still plenty of options outside of that. I expect the cornerback and nose tackle position to be addressed in the mid to late rounds after doing everything else mentioned above.
