2020 could mark the first year that the Chargers use their first-round selection on a quarterback since 2004, as the team prepares for the life after Philip Rivers.
It appears Los Angeles is gearing up to possibly use the No. 6 overall selection to draft a signal-caller, given the amount of homework they’ve done on a pair of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class.
L.A. recently FaceTimed with former Oregon QB Justin Herbert and Utah State’s Jordan Love to get more familiar with the potential draftee.
Herbert, the 6-foot-6 and 236 pounder has been commonly linked to the Bolts in most mock drafts throughout the pre-draft process.
During his four seasons, Herbert completed 64 percent of his passes for 10,541 yards with 95 touchdowns and just 23 interceptions.
While Herbert needs to improve his decision-making and eye discipline at the next level, he checks off on a lot of boxes that the team values at the position – mobility, arm strength, production, great work ethic and character.
As for Love, he is one of the bigger wild cards in this year’s crop. The 6-foot-4 and 224 pounder’s ability to make any throw on the field from multiple set points is very impressive. However, he needs to improve his decision-making process and accuracy at the next level .
As a sophomore in 2018, Love had an excellent season where he completed 64% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions. But he took a huge step back as in 2019, as he saw his total touchdowns drop from 39 to only 20 while he also threw 17 interceptions.
The Chargers have expressed their belief in Tyrod Taylor as the team’s starting quarterback in 2020. But Taylor only has one more year remaining on his contract, and they need to start looking towards the future at the position.
If LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa are off the board (barring any trade up), Herbert or Love could be the selection when the Chargers are on the clock in the upcoming draft.