With the 2019 regular season nearly over for the Los Angeles Chargers, the attention has shifted to this offseason, which will be one of the more intriguing ones in recent memory.
One thing that will need to be determined is who the starting quarterback will be in 2020. Whether that’s Philip Rivers or Tyrod Taylor, there’s another thing that needs to be addressed and that’s figuring out who will be the long-term option.
Because of that, Los Angeles could very well be selecting one in the first-round in hopes of fulfilling that.
That’s the direction they go in CBS Sport’s Chris Traprasso latest mock draft with the selection of former Utah State QB Jordan Love.
The Chargers have watched Patrick Mahomes in the division the past two years and get a project-y version of him here at No. 7 overall to ultimately replace Philip Rivers, even if that doesn’t happen until 2021.
When you look at Love’s stat sheet from this season, it’s easy to be swayed away. He finished with 17 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. Just a year ago, Love posted 32 touchdowns to only six interceptions. Whether it was the coaching change or the fact that Utah State only had one starter return, the drop off was evident but the potential at the next level is too great.
The 6-foot-4 and 225 quarterback has the arm strength, talent, athleticism and physical traits that easily translates to the next level. According to the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one scout even used the term “Mahomes-like” to describe his skill set.
Love, who is an excellent touch passer that can sling it downfield, would mesh with wide receivers Keenan Allen and tight end Hunter Henry as intermediate targets, while Mike Williams and a potential addition this offseason as deep threats.
For some, taking Love in the top-10 would be rich. But with there being many teams in the middle to back end of the first round that could be in need of a quarterback, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to lock up the guy that early if they see him as their future face of the franchise before anyone else snags him.
With a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, during the pre-draft workouts and the interview process, Love could skyrocket up boards to the point where taking him that early in the draft might not be considered a reach to those who feel like it would at the given moment.
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