Los Angeles Chargers: Five super early targets for the 2019 NFL Draft
By Jason Reed
2. Clayton Thorson, QB, Northwestern
It is only fair that we include two quarterbacks on this list as the Los Angeles Chargers decided to completely neglect the position in the 2017 NFL Draft. While Lock may be the best quarterback heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, the Chargers may never get the opportunity to pick him; depending on how high his stock really is.
Thus, the Chargers should also look past Lock at the rest of the crop of quarterbacks. Only slightly down the totem pole will the team find Clayton Thorson of Northwestern, who on paper looks like a perfect fit to learn under Rivers.
Walter Football has Thorson as the second-best quarterback in the draft class. Thorson has an identical six-foot-four, ~ 230-pound frame as Lock. That is where the comparisons stop between the two players, though.
Thorson is a much more accurate passer and has shown great decision-making ability at Northwestern. However, he is yet to showcase whether or not he can truly open it up and consistently go downfield. That could change in his senior year, but it is his biggest flaw as of now.
Thus, Thorson could end up being a Sam Bradford type quarterback; someone that completes a lot of their passes for short-yardage. However, under Philip Rivers, Thorson can learn the feel of the game and what it takes and when it is appropriate to open it up deep.