Chargers should only draft Lamar Jackson if it is in the second-round

With the search for Philip Rivers’ successor in full swing, Lamar Jackson has emerged as a potential target for the Los Angeles Chargers.

It is no secret that the Los Angeles Chargers need to start looking for the quarterback that will take Philip Rivers’ place. 14 years ago the San Diego Chargers selected Eil Manning with the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, eventually flipping him for Rivers himself. All despite Drew Brees still holding the job.

After a torn labrum and the Chargers not wanting to pay Brees what he was worth, Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints. Yes, Brees has had the better career and won a Super Bowl, but at the time, committing to Philip Rivers was the smarter move.

Now, Rivers is in the final stages of his career. At 36 years old Rivers playing days are getting limited and it all depends on what he wants. Rivers could easily hang it up after this season. However, Rivers still performs at a high level and he could play for three or so more seasons.

Regardless, the pursuit of the guy that will take over for Rivers’ is as real this off-season as it has ever been. Daniel Lang of Bolt Beat finds Teddy Bridgewater as a nice heir to the Chargers’ throne. For many, that heir should come out of the 2018 NFL Draft.

I have been high on Mason Rudolph in the past. Rudolph did meet with the Chargers which caused some stir, but after the NFL Combine, one name sticks out above the rest.

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph said he spoke with the Chargers at the Senior Bowl. He wouldn’t say whether he met/will meet with them at the combine
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) March 2, 2018

That name is Lamar Jackson. The former Heisman winner that, for some reason, has fallen out of the elite quarterbacks club. The same quarterback who was asked to perform receiver drills at the NFL Combine.

Jackson could not be any different from Rivers. Rivers, a pocket-passer that can sometimes extend plays but lacks mobility, is nothing like Jackson; a mobile quarterback that can trust his legs as much as his great arm.

Last season Jackson completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 3660 yards and 27 touchdowns. Jackson added 1601 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns to his passing numbers.

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I do understand the concerns around Jackson. Mobile quarterbacks are not known to have a great NFL shelf life. Robert Griffin III is the perfect example of these concerns. These mobile quarterbacks are just too suceptible to injury at the NFL level.

However, Jackson is still a special talent that deserves to go in the first round. With the 19th overall pick, Jackson would be a complete steal. If we would have entered in last year’s draft class, he could have been a top ten pick. Jackson very well could be this year’s DeShaun Watson; falling past his worth and shocking the NFL.

Although this is promising, the Chargers simply cannot use a first-round pick on Jackson. As great as he is and as much as he may be worth it, the Chargers must use that pick for one of the few areas of need; stopping the run.

Whether it be a stuffing defensive tackle or a menacing inside linebacker, that is the first area the Chargers must address in the draft. After that, if Jackson is still on the board in the second round, then we can start talking.

Next: Running backs the Chargers can draft in 2018

However, we have no idea if Rivers will even hang it up soon. Maybe the veteran quarterback does have four years left in the tank. If he does, using a first-round pick on a quarterback this soon seems unwise and will only create another Jimmy Garoppolo-Patriots situation.

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