The Chargers have a slew of positions that need to be fulfilled including the offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback group – but there’s a glaring hole at the most important position on the field: quarterback.
We still don’t know if Philip Rivers is going to be brought back for Year 17, but even if the front office chooses to re-sign him, Los Angeles needs to start planning for the future, and possessing the No. 6 overall selection in this year’s draft means that they are in a prime position to grab a signal-caller.
That’s exactly why in USA Today’s latest mock draft, the Chargers selected Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert.
As arguably the top prospect at the Senior Bowl this week, Herbert could amplify the buzz surrounding him by showing off his considerable physical tools. The Chargers have to be thinking about their future at quarterback —be it in the near or long term —as they move into their new digs, and the 6-6, 237-pound signal-caller has the downfield throwing aptitude to take advantage of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Herbert has been commonly mocked to the Bolts, and while it’s a mixed bag on how fans feel about it, it would be the most ideal direction they could possibly go.
Los Angeles could select an offensive tackle with this pick, but it is the deepest positional group with starting caliber options that’ll still be available in Round 2. Plus, I expect general manager Tom Telesco to look to add one using the free agency pool.
Herbert is a physical specimen, who has the skillset, traits and tools to become a solid NFL quarterback for years to come. The area of his game that gets scrutinized the most is primarily mental, which is something that could quickly be addressed when he gets to the league.
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Another thing to note is that Herbert didn’t benefit from Oregon’s scheme that required a lot of screens and one reads, nor did he have the type of dynamic playmakers that LSU’s Joe Burrow or Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa possessed.
With the Chargers, he would be put into a system where he would be able to utilize his skills in the short passing game, use his legs and, his big arm to let it rip to wide receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and tight end Hunter Henry.
Herbert is already being projected to be a top-10 selection, but with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL next week, he can really stamp his landing spot there, and have the team sold on him during the interviews that the scouts will have with him during the week.
