With the Chargers essentially out of playoff contention, the fanbase’s attention has shifted towards the future and what the team could do to build up an already talented roster for next year.
With that, we will continue to throw in mock drafts here and there throughout the duration of the regular season to show the direction they could go. Once the season is over, all of our attention will shift solely to free agency and the draft.
Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling put out his latest three-round mock draft. Let’s take a look and see what he believes Los Angeles will do when April rolls around.
Round 1, No. 10, QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Philip Rivers is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2019 season, and it’s uncertain whether or not he will be back. Whether or not he is back for Year 17, the Chargers can’t waste anymore time to find his potential replacement, especially if they will be picking in the top-15.
The team has certainly been doing their homework on him. Earlier this season, there were three scouts in attendance for the matchup between Oregon and USC. When you have that many scouts at a game, it’s clear that they’re zeroing in on a specific prospect.
Herbert, the 6-foot-6 and 237 pounder, has everything that the Bolts will covet in their next signal-caller — arm talent, mobility, experience, football intelligence and production. While there are areas that need to be addressed to his game, including his decision-making, he is a guy with high upside.
It wouldn’t be the most sexy selection in eyes of the fans, but it’s a pick that the organization would make given their philosophy, need and most importantly, because he checks off on nearly all of the boxes when it comes to evaluating players at the position.
Here is what Easterling had to say about Herbert going to L.A.
Philip Rivers is at the end of a Hall of Fame career, and it’s time for the Bolts to find his long-term replacement. Herbert could have been a high draft pick last year, but he returned to school to polish his game. He’s done just that, and should be plenty worthy of a top-10 pick.
Round 2, No. 41, OL Nick Harris, Washington
The Chargers stay in the Pac-12 for their second-round selection, bolstering the offensive line. Though the offensive tackle position needs to be addressed, the team will be looking to upgrade the unit as a whole to add more talent.
Washington possesses one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country, who returned four starters from last season. Among the group is Harris, who has been a senior leader for years now, which should certainly draw Los Angeles’ attention right off the bat.
Though he is a bit undersized, the 6-foot-1 and 307 pounder is an athletic blocker, using his physicality and fundamentally sound approach in both the run and passing game to keep defenders busy, capable of being a high-end NFL starting interior offensive lineman.
Round 3, No. 73, LB Troy Dye, Oregon
General manager Tom Telesco made the point to upgrade the linebacker position this past offseason, but there’s only been a slight improvement from last year’s group.
Rookie Drue Tranquill has been a standout, Kyzir White isn’t getting much playing time, Thomas Davis isn’t getting any younger and Denzel Perryman is stout against the run, but coverage isn’t his strong suit. Because of the so-so production, they will likely bring in younger talent.
Dye, Herbert’s teammate, would be a solid addition in Round 3. Even though he’s on the thinner side and could benefit from adding a little bit more weight, he has encouraging athleticism to cover ground in the running game and has the movement skills against the pass, which is where he’s at his best.
