Los Angeles Chargers: First 2020 mock draft without Philip Rivers
By Jason Reed
The 2020 NFL Draft is immensely important for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are entering a new era without Philip Rivers.
It was officially reported on Monday that the Los Angeles Chargers and Philip Rivers agreed to mutually part ways, ending a 16-year relationship at the quarterback position. There will be someone new under center in the new SoFi Stadium, and it may come from the NFL Draft.
The Chargers have the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, which is high enough to snag a quarterback or even trade up and get one of the elite options if the opportunity presents itself.
There are other needs as well, such as the shoddy offensive line, that needs to be addressed. Overall, though, the Chargers have a good enough core to be a playoff team if they operate smartly this offseason.
As a Charger fan, I am more excited about this draft than any other recent draft. And using Fanspeak’s NFL Mock Draft simulator, we drafted all seven rounds for the Los Angeles Chargers, using Fanspeak’s team needs as well as Matt Miller of Bleacher Report‘s Big Board.
While I would personally love to see Joe Burrow in Los Angeles as I am a huge fan of his, the realistic selection that I am hoping for as a Charger fan is Tua Tagovailoa. And in our mock draft simulator, the Miami Dolphins decided to not select Tua, paving the way for him to be a Charger.
Tua was the Heisman favorite heading into this season and was the favorite to be the first overall pick as well before Burrow had his insane season. Burrow’s great season does not make Tua any less valuable and if the Chargers were to get him with the sixth pick it would be a huge come up for the franchise.
The hip fracture that Tua suffered at the end of the season is reportedly already healed and even if he is still slightly banged up, he will undoubtedly be ready for training camp and there should be no concerns for the Chargers in that regard.
Tua is not only good enough to be the starting quarterback of the future for the Chargers but after starting several seasons for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Tua can come into the league and be an above-average quarterback on a playoff team as soon as season one.