Buckle up, it’s about to get crazy when the 2020 NFL Draft begins on Thursday.
We can assume who the Chargers are going to take when they’re on the clock all we want, but the unthinkable is always bound to happen.
Teams will do whatever it takes to get their guy, which is why trades will occur. Let’s say there’s a team that really wants someone, but they feel like they won’t be there when they pick. They’re going to trade up.
If Los Angeles was to trade down between the 11-16 pick range, who might they consider?
Here are four players that could be in consideration for the Bolts if they trade down:
QB Jordan Love, Utah State
They were unable to get the quarterback of the future at No. 6, so the Chargers are able to get him picks later. Love is arguably the biggest wild card of this year’s draft. After an outstanding 2018 season, he saw a statistical decline in his final year.
Teams have been contacting his old coach, Matt Wells to get the “complete story” on Love. The former Utah State product lost all but one starter on the offensive side of the ball, which is why many are hoping that his sophomore season is the version that they will get in the NFL.
Los Angeles has done plenty of homework on Love throughout the pre-draft process, as well.
Overall, Love is an athletic signal-caller with arm talent, the ability to create outside of structure and a high-ceiling as a passer, but needs to become a better decision-maker and mental processor to clean up the interceptions, projecting as a high-risk, high-reward quarterback if the Bolts found themselves drafting him.
LB Patrick Queen, LSU
The Chargers need more linebacker help even after the addition of Nick Vigil. Thomas Davis is gone. Denzel Perryman has a year remaining on his contract, and there is a concern with Kyzir White’s durability after sustaining a knee injury his rookie season that he hasn’t been able to overcome.
With Queen, the Chargers would be getting a great athlete who possesses the play speed, read-and-react skills, change-of-direction ability and physical demeanor to make plays in coverage and against the run. He’d be an immediate starter alongside LB Drue Tranquill.
OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Let’s say that the Chargers trade back with a team like the Jets at No. 11 overall. New York likely has a tackle like Andrew Thomas graded higher and they want to secure him. This would allow Los Angeles to move back in the draft and still get one of the top-four tackles.
With Becton, Los Angeles would be getting a large blocker who is an excellent pass protector and run-blocker, possessing a rare combination of power and athleticism. He will need to refine his hand technique in pass protection and clean up some overaggressive tendencies, but he would be a plug-and-play left tackle.
WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama
The Chargers need to add one more wide receiver to solidify the positional group. Even though they’re better off addressing the position on Day 2 or even Day 3, they could see one of these elite wideouts as too hard to pass up on.
With Ruggs, the Chargers would be getting the much-needed burner type of receiver on the outside as he possesses track-like speed, along with route savvy and great hands, projecting as an immediate impactful receiver and return specialist.