The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the most underrated teams in the NFL throughout the regular season in 2018 and finished with a 12-4 record. That was just even with the Kansas City Chiefs, who won the division that year. However, Los Angeles dropped to dead last in the AFC West the following year. Now it’ll be without several key pieces in 2020.
Philip Rivers walked and joined the Indianapolis Colts while Melvin Gordon signed with the Denver Broncos this offseason. While there is talent at receiver and running back, Tyrod Taylor is the starting quarterback for the time being. He could be unseated by the Chargers’ first pick in the draft though.
2020 Draft Picks
Round 1, pick 6 — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Round 1, pick 23 (No. 23 overall): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Round 4, pick 6 (No. 112 overall): Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA
Round 5, pick 5 (No. 151 overall): Joe Reed, WR, Virginia
Round 6, pick 7 (No. 186 overall): Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
Round 7, pick 6 (No. 220 overall): K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
Team needs
Offense
Taylor lost his job to Baker Mayfield in 2018 and could be pushed by any competent signal caller Los Angeles signs this year. He has only been a consistent starter for three seasons and barely managed 3,000 passing yards in two of those. The Chargers need a stronger arm and better accuracy to maximize the talents of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry.
Four-time Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey is recovering from a neck injury that brought his 2019 season to a close, and Los Angeles doesn’t have players with significant experience playing left tackle. Stability on the offensive line will be important with a new starting quarterback — especially at the center spot.
Defense
Los Angeles will need to replace Thomas Davis at linebacker following a season in which he recorded 112 tackles. Cornerback Trevor Williams will also need to a replacement after failing to play in one game for the Chargers because of a knee injury.
Dream first pick
The Chargers appear to be locked in to select a quarterback in the first round, as there’s no chance they view Taylor as a long-term starting signal caller. The most likely choice at No. 6 is Oregon’s Justin Herbert, but Utah State’s Jordan Love could climb into the picture as the draft approaches.