Anthony S. — In such a deep offensive line draft and many veteran quarterbacks in free agency, is it more likely that the Chargers make a play for one of the quarterbacks at 6 or do they look at (Isaiah) Simmons or an interior defensive lineman early on?
To me, the Chargers have four glaring roster needs that they need to fulfill during the draft – quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback. Since Los Angeles is picking so high – this being the third time they’ve selected in the top-10 in a 15-year span – they’re in a good position to grab their future face of the franchise.
Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons has been a big riser, and has been linked to the Chargers with the idea that him and safety Derwin James would make a lethal tandem in the backend of the defense. Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown is the top-ranked player at his position and would be a plug-and-play nose tackle for L.A.
Any other year I could see Simmons or Brown being atop of the Bolts’ big board, but I think the quarterback position takes rein because of where they’re picking and how much of a need it is to find future signal-caller. Even though I am a firm believer of taking talent over need, quarterback is the most important position on the field.
The offensive tackle position is certainly in play since the team needs to fortify it after a below average output in 2019. But I can see general manager Tom Telesco be aggressive in free agency to bring in at least one big-name player, and then look to take advantage of a deep positional group in the draft by snagging a starting caliber player in Round 2.
Jacob F. — Would it be smart to pick up a lineman in the first round or wait til later or free agency?
I laid out how the Chargers should go about addressing the offensive line.
Daniel G. — What’s the possibility of trading down for some early round draft picks? Address offensive line and run defense.
I’ve seen more and more fans wanting to trade down in the first-round to acquire more picks. While it sounds like a reasonable option because who wouldn’t want more ammo to draft players, I believe that Telesco likes where the team is sitting in the top-10. Like I mentioned in my first answer, this is a prime position to draft a quarterback. If anything, there’s more of a possibility that he looks to trade up two or three spots to jump another quarterback-needy team in the Miami Dolphins so that way they can secure their guy.
Brian W. — Do you think the Chargers will pay out for Henry and Bosa?
Re-signing tight end Hunter Henry and extending defensive end Joey Bosa should be at the very top of the Chargers’ to-do list. With Los Angeles having a projected $56.245 million in salary-cap space – the most in Telesco’s tenure with the team, a decent amount of that money needs to be dealt to the two.
With Henry, he has been banged up throughout the career, but he is easily one of the league’s top tight ends when healthy. He is a complete player at the position, showing the ability to be dangerous as a pass-catcher and reliable as a blocker. It’d be a mistake for L.A. to let him walk and look to match that type of talent elsewhere. The Packers’ Jimmy Graham is the highest-paid tight end in football right now at $10 million in average annual value. I expect Henry to top that, likely ending up with a four-year deal for $36 million and $38 million in total value.
Bosa is slated to make $14.36 million on his fifth-year option next season. Based on the impact that he’s made since joining the team, he would be underpaid if he was to play making that much in 2020. That is why Bosa could possibly hold out if he doesn’t receive a hefty contract this offseason. Los Angeles will likely pay him in the ballpark of what Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence got, which is five years, $105 million, with $65 million guaranteed or even Bears’ Khalil Mack’s six-year, $141 million deal with $90 million guaranteed.
@Jtex_33 — Where will Rivers land?
I laid out five potential landing spots for Rivers if the team decides to move on from him. Given the fact that he moved his family from California to Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Miami Dolphins could also be in play. But one option that isn’t talked about that much that could still be a possibility is retirement. Rivers did say that he wants to play in 2020, but a week or two prior to saying that, he told the media that he was going to weigh out his options with his family after the season – which is something that I’m sure he has done or is still in the process of doing. Even though he said he felt like he could still play, his mind could change, and the move could factor into his decision.
David M. — How high of a priority is it to pick up a running back to replace Melvin Gordon? Or should we consider signing him at this point?
If the Chargers move on from Gordon this offseason, they should absolutely look to bring in another running back. But it wouldn’t be a glaring need like many people think it is. Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson would sit atop of the depth chart. Telesco has had a knack for finding gems outside of the early rounds of the draft. Ekeler went undrafted and Jackson was drafted in the seventh-round. This year’s class is no different, as late-round gems can be found. The team could also look to re-sign Troymaine Pope to solidify the position.