Los Angeles Chargers: Last minute surprise picks that could be made
By Jason Reed
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The consensus on Josh Allen is a mixed bag. On one hand, Allen has all the intangibles to become a great NFL quarterback. He has the size, he has the arm strength and the overall poise of a great quarterback (and he looks great in shorts). On the other hand, though, there are concerns about his production at Wyoming and if that great arm can translate with bad decision making.
Allen has the highest ceiling and the lowest floor of the quarterbacks to go in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft. With that being said, some teams may get cold feet, letting Allen slide to the 17th overall selection. Perhaps Lamar Jackson sneaks into the top four alongside Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen; leaving Allen with no great fit in the latter half of the round.
However, the Chargers actually present an interesting fit for Allen that may actually be the best-case scenario for his career. While Allen has everything it takes to be a star, he needs coaching up. He needs to learn what it takes to be an NFL quarterback and the face of the franchise.
Enter Philip Rivers, who has carried the Chargers since 2006 and has been overlooked as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. Rivers only has two, maybe three years left in his career. While this means waiting it out for Allen, it also means that the Chargers can fine tune him before simply throwing him into the fire.
The hardest part about being a first-round quarterback is the transition from a college kid making no money to being the hypothetical CEO of a football franchise. This transition can be eased if Allen plays the role of Rivers’ intern for a few seasons. It might be crazy but it also might be the best fit for Josh Allen.