The 2020 NFL Draft is just about a month away, which means that The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be looked at heading into this year’s draft including what their needs are and who they could be targeting. The Los Angeles Chargers will be the sixth team evaluated.
Summary
One year after going 12-4, the Los Angeles Chargers fell into a complete spiral and went 5-11. They lost nine of their games by seven points or less. The Chargers just could not finish games, which has been the narrative for franchise quarterback Philip Rivers throughout his career. The Chargers looked old this season and showed signs that their Super Bowl window is closing rapidly and it is time for a change.
The Chargers made a difficult, but necessary, decision to move on from Rivers this offseason. Rivers has been their starter since 2006 and it was time for a change and for the Chargers to go on with a younger option. The Chargers also had the distraction of Melvin Gordon holding out for a new contract. Gordon eventually came back, but lost his job to Austin Ekeler who the Chargers extended this offseason instead. The Chargers tried to make the biggest splash this offseason by adding Tom Brady to quarterback their team, but fell short. It looks like the Chargers will be going with veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor for now to run the offense, unless they change their mind about a veteran like Jameis Winston or Cam Newton. Their offense is filled with a lot of top-end talent, including franchise-tagged tight end Hunter Henry, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and their two new offensive line starters Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga.
Since the Chargers didn’t win the Tom Brady sweepstakes, they decided to pay for some defensive help. Former All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris and Pro Bowl nose tackle Linval Joseph will be playing in Los Angeles next season. The Chargers already have a very elite defensive unit on paper. They have former first-round picks Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Jerry Tillery rounding out their defensive line. The Chargers also could have one of the best secondaries in football next season. Harris will be playing with former Pro Bowlers Casey Hayward and Derwin James, former All-Pro Desmond King and second-round pick from last season Nasir Adderley. There is a lot to get excited about for the Chargers on the defensive side of the ball.
2020 NFL Draft Picks
Miami will have seven picks to use in the 2020 NFL Draft.
First Round (one pick): No. 6
Second Round (one pick): No. 37
Third Round (one pick): No. 71
Fourth Round (one pick): No. 112
Fifth Round (one pick): No. 151
Sixth Round (one pick): No. 186
Seventh Round (one pick): No. 220
Team Needs
Left Tackle- After trading away Russell Okung left tackle is a major need on this roster. Even if they didn’t move him, Okung did not play fantastic and has never played a full 16 game season with the Chargers. He only played in six games last year.
Quarterback- As confident as Anthony Lynn is in starting Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, he should not look as Tyrod as the future of the team or the only viable starter that should be on the roster. The Chargers should draft a young quarterback this year to be the face of the team for years to come.
Linebacker- The Chargers have avoided addressing linebacker for years bringing veterans past their prime or starting mid-round linebackers haven’t seemed to work. It is time to address the position early and possibly often, even though it is a weaker linebacker group as far as all-round depth goes.
Wide Receiver- Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are one of the better wide receiver tandems in the league. However, the Chargers did miss Tyrell Williams’ ability to stretch the field last season. With Travis Benjamin also signing elsewhere, the Chargers are in need of a speed receiver who can spread the field
Edge rusher- Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are one of the best duos of pass rushers in the league. But both have missed a large period of time due to injury in recent years. Also, Ingram is 30 years old and there has been some chatter about Bosa wanting to get traded elsewhere. It doesn’t hurt to add some depth at such an important position
Interior Offensive Line- Even after adding Trai Turner the Chargers should add a versatile guard who can play center to their offensive line. Mike Pouncey, Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp have all missed time with injury and don’t have the greatest backups.
2020 NFL Draft Targets
First Round:
Pick No. 6: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Not taking a quarterback with their first-round pick might come to a shock to most, but it is the smarter play. Unless they trade up it is unlikely that the Chargers get the guy they want to be the quarterback of the future and with hope in Taylor, the quarterback need isn’t glaring. The Chargers can solidify their offensive line by adding Jerdrick Wills to be the opposite bookend tackle to Bryan Bulaga. Wills only allowed one sack this past season. He has all the makings of a franchise blindside blocker and can start day one.
Second Round:
Pick No. 39: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
It is hard to mock where Jalen Hurts could be drafted, mostly because no one can say exactly who will be the best quarterback on the board when the first round ends. Hurts has some growing to do as a quarterback, he will have some growing pains and have to transition to a pro-style offense, but Hurts has something that many quarterbacks lack. Jalen Hurts has the it factor, he is a dangerous weapon with his arm and legs and is a proven winner. A year under Taylor might be exactly what Hurts need to become the quarterback the Chargers need and can finally be the guy to bring fans to their new stadium.
Third Round:
Pick No. 70: K.J. Hamler
K.J. Hamler has been projected to go all over the first half of the draft. This is because he is a part of a large group of talented receivers with high grades that could be selected by the skill set a team needs, rather than pure talent. Hamler is a perfect fit for what the Chargers needs, he is a speedy gadget receiver that can stretch the field and can make an impact being the team’s starting kick and punt returner next season.
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