The 2020 NFL Draft is officially in the rearview. Now that we’ve been able to get accustomed to the Chargers’ draft class based on their collegiate careers, it’s time to project how they might fare at the professional level.
What better way to do so than making some bold predictions for their rookie campaigns?
Here are five:
QB Justin Herbert doesn’t take a single snap
The Chargers made it clear that Tyrod Taylor is in the driver’s seat to start the season. After drafting Herbert with the No. 6 overall selection, they said that there will be a competition at the quarterback position, but I don’t think his showing in training camp (if there is one still) and preseason will change the minds of the coaching staff. The only way I see Herbert taking over is if Taylor struggles at any point of the season. Given the talent around him (on both sides of the ball) and the familiarity with coach Anthony Lynn’s offensive philosophy from their time spent with the Bills, the chances of Taylor failing to win games are slim. I’m a firm believer that the only way a rookie is going to succeed at the NFL level is to get reps, but Herbert really needs fine-tuning to the mental side of the game before taking the reins. However, learning from new quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton in Year 1 could do him wonders.
LB Kenneth Murray finishes with 100+ tackles
Murray is the only rookie among the Chargers’ draft haul that I firmly believe will be starting Week 1. Expected to be the starting Will linebacker, Murray should be on the field on all three downs. Murray is a quick-twitch athlete who possesses the sideline-to-sideline speed and range against the run. On top of that, he has a knack for rushing the quarterback. The bottom line is that Murray is always around the football one way or another. His stats from college back that up, as in 42 college games — all of which he started — he totaled 335 tackles. Safety Derwin James surpassed the 100-tackle mark in his rookie season, finishing with 105.
RB Joshua Kelley amasses 8 rushing touchdowns
Kelley is no stranger to the end zone. In both seasons at UCLA, Kelley combined for 25 rushing touchdowns, 13 in 2019 and 12 in 2018. The former Bruin does join a crowded backfield that consists of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson which might make it challenging to achieve that type of production, but there’s plenty of reason that believe that Kelley could become the feature back, which would maximize his touches. Ekeler is going to have the lead role, but the Chargers still plan to use him all over the formation — backfield, slot, outside. Jackson has shown flashes the past two seasons, but injuries have kept him off the field. I expect Kelley to receive the football on short-yardage and goal line situations, which could help pad his sheets. But Kelley has a well-rounded skillset to be effective and productive in the main role.
WR Joe Reed finishes top-5 in the league in kick return yards
Reed was drafted for his speed and versatility at the wide receiver position, but also his plus ability to return kicks. The former Virginia product will be in contention for the starting job with Darius Jennings, who was acquired via free agency earlier this offseason. It should be a close competition in camp, but I think Reed has the slight leg up on him. If he wins the job, I could see the rookie finishing top-5 in kick return yards. Last season, the top-5 consisted of Redskins’ Steven Sims (819), Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman (704), Bills’ Andre Roberts (664), Saints’ Deonte Harris (644) and Dolphins’ Jakeem Grant (578). Reed, the 2019 Jet Award winner, which is given to the country’s top kick returner, finished with 3,042 yards on kick returns in 50 career games.
WR K.J. Hill finishes second among team’s receivers in receptions
The top target for the Chargers the past few seasons has been Keenan Allen and despite the change at the quarterback position, I don’t see that changing. Because Mike Williams is listed as WR2, it leads many to think that he will be second in catches, but I believe Ohio State’s all-time reception leader will emerge as one of Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert’s favorite targets. Even though he isn’t going to burn defenders with speed, Hill is capable of putting defensive backs on skates with his savvy route-running skills. He also has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage, which will make him nearly always an open option. The former Buckeye is bound to catch everything, too. Hill finished his college career with 201 catches. I could see Hill finishing with 45-55 receptions in his rookie season.