Quarterback
Draft – Justin Herbert
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Utah State’s Jordan Love are worthy of making this list, but Herbert gets the nod because he checks off more of the boxes that the Chargers are looking for in their future signal-caller: Mobility, arm strength, production, great work ethic and character, as well as a high football IQ.
Herbert is scrutinized for having a quiet leadership style, but Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy called it a “false narrative” and said Herbert has “far more charisma than many NFL starters we’ve been around.”
The bottom line is while Herbert needs to improve his decision-making and his eye discipline, he has the physical tools that should be coveted. The former Oregon product would benefit from sitting behind Tyrod Taylor, and if the transition is smooth, Herbert could do wonders with the weapons on the offensive side of the ball and the likely new RPO-heavy system.
Free agency – Marcus Mariota
From one former Oregon product to another. Many were likely expecting Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater to be here, but I am not so sure that the Chargers are going to dish a hefty bag of money to a free agent when they have other pressing needs to fulfill.
If the team went away from Taylor or simply chose to go this route for added competition to the quarterback room, Mariota has some high upside. Mariota, 26, is mobile and a fit in today’s game. He has a playoff win on his resume too and could be a bridge for Los Angeles.