Los Angeles Chargers: Big board for the 2018 NFL Draft

3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

While we do not have quarterback Mason Rudolph on our Los Angeles Chargers big board, we do have another quarterback in former Heisman Lamar Jackson. Philip Rivers eventually needs a successor and there is no better time, or person, than to select Jackson with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

This quarterback class is so deep with talent that the Chargers could pick up a future Pro Bowl quarterback over halfway into the round. Jackson has all the tools to exceed; he can extend plays out of the pocket, is a threat to run the ball and has the decision making and arm to thrive in the NFL.

Jackson may not be as NFL ready as some of his peers but that is what makes him such a great fit for the Chargers. Jackson would presumably sit behind Rivers for two to three seasons, learning the NFL craft and how to succeed.

Guidance is a highly underrated thing in the NFL and most quarterbacks that take this approach often succeed. Rivers did it with Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers did it with Brett Favre. This is not a case of DeShaun Watson trying to learn under Tom Savage.

This is an elite caliber quarterback learning under a future Hall of Fame quarterback.