Sports Illustrated's Jason B. Hirschhorn discusses the Chargers' needs in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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00:00 The Los Angeles Chargers have the sixth pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
00:05 So let's find out who they're going to take.
00:07 For that analysis, I go to our Chargers beat writer, Jason Hirschhorn.
00:11 How are you doing, Jason?
00:12 I'm doing well.
00:13 How are you, Bill?
00:15 I'm doing great.
00:16 Let's talk about this sixth pick because a lot of players, a lot of mock draft analysts
00:21 out there think the Chargers could go quarterback after letting Phillip Rivers walk this year
00:26 in free agency.
00:27 What are your thoughts about their top 10 first round pick?
00:31 Well, it's certainly a logical conclusion.
00:33 The Chargers made a run at Tom Brady this offseason.
00:36 Obviously, he went to Tampa Bay instead, and they didn't sign another veteran quarterback.
00:40 So as things stand right now, they're definitely in a position to roll with Tyrod Taylor, the
00:45 veteran that they have under contract, as the week one starter and bring a quarterback
00:49 in with that sixth overall pick.
00:51 It's not their only option, but it's definitely something that's on the table.
00:55 Who are some of the other players that they've kind of been linked to or have shown some
00:59 interest in?
01:00 Well, if you look at how their defense is currently constituted, they definitely need
01:06 help at linebacker.
01:07 And there's a good chance that Clemson linebacker, or really just do it all defender, Isaiah
01:12 Simmons could be available at six.
01:13 He would make a lot of sense, especially with Derwin James also there.
01:16 They have two different defenders.
01:18 They can just move around like chess pieces and really confuse some of the offenses they're
01:21 going to face.
01:22 So it's going to be valuable against any team, but especially in a division where they have
01:25 to see the Kansas City Chiefs twice a year, you're going to want that kind of arsenal
01:29 on defense.
01:32 Since Melvin Gordon left in free agency, I know they've re-signed Austin Echler, but
01:36 do you see the Chargers possibly be interested in a running back in this year's draft?
01:42 Maybe at some point late in the draft, but I don't think that's a concern for them early
01:46 on.
01:47 They obviously really like Austin Echler.
01:48 They gave him a four year deal worth up to $24.5 million.
01:50 They also have Justin Jackson, the third year back out of Northwestern.
01:55 They like him a lot.
01:56 He played a lot early in the season before Melvin Gordon ended his holdout and played
01:59 very well.
02:00 He was averaging around seven yards per carry.
02:03 That probably would have gone down.
02:04 He'd continue to play so many snaps, but he was still going to be in all likelihood an
02:07 effective runner.
02:08 I think they're very comfortable with those two guys at the top of their backfield depth
02:11 chart.
02:12 Do you think the Chargers could maybe move, make a trade in the draft to kind of get inside
02:17 that top three and maybe jump ahead of the Miami Dolphins for a quarterback?
02:21 I think it's possible.
02:22 They definitely have the draft ammunition to do that, but that's not really been an
02:26 MO of this particular front office.
02:28 They've traded up before, but again, very rarely.
02:31 They traded up to number 15 in 2015 to get Melvin Gordon, but that's really it in terms
02:35 of big moves up the draft board.
02:38 So you have to say it's possible given the position.
02:40 Obviously quarterback is so valuable and they definitely want to land a quarterback to develop
02:44 for the future.
02:45 But it's also the case that they might just prefer to wait at their pick, see if a quarterback
02:49 they like falls there, and if not, either go a different position or maybe even trade
02:52 down depending on what the best value is.
02:54 Jason, thanks for joining us today.
02:56 Looking forward to the NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 23rd.
02:59 Thank you.