Sports Illustrated's Jason B. Hirschhorn discusses the Chargers' needs in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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00:00The Los Angeles Chargers have the sixth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
00:05So let's find out who they're going to take for that analysis.
00:09I go to our Chargers beat writer, Jason Hirschhorn.
00:11How are you doing, Jason?
00:12I'm doing well.
00:13How are you, Bill?
00:15I'm doing great.
00:16Let's talk about this sixth pick because a lot of players, a lot of mock draft analysts
00:21out there think the Chargers could go quarterback after letting Phillip Rivers walk this year
00:26in free agency.
00:27What are your thoughts about their top 10 first round pick?
00:31Well, it's certainly a logical conclusion.
00:33The Chargers made a run at Tom Brady this offseason.
00:36Obviously he went to Tampa Bay instead and they didn't sign another veteran quarterback.
00:40So as things stand right now, they're definitely in position to roll with Tyrod Taylor, the
00:45veteran that they have under contract as the week one starter and bring a quarterback in
00:50with that six overall pick.
00:51It's not their only option, but it's definitely something that's on the table.
00:55Who are some of the other players that they've kind of been linked to or have shown some
00:59interest in?
01:00Well, if you look at how their defense is currently constituted, they definitely need
01:06help at linebacker.
01:07And there's a good chance that Clemson linebacker or really just do it all defender Isaiah Simmons
01:12could be available at six.
01:13He would make a lot of sense, especially with Derwin James also there that have two different
01:17defenders.
01:18They can just move around like chess pieces and really confuse some of the offenses they're
01:21going to face.
01:22So it's going to be valuable against any team, but especially in a division where they have
01:25to see the Kansas City Chiefs twice a year, you're going to want that kind of arsenal
01:29on defense.
01:32Since Melvin Gordon left in free agency, they, I know they've re-signed Austin Echler, but
01:36do you see the Chargers possibly be interested in a running back in this year's draft?
01:42Maybe at some point late in the draft, but I don't think that's a concern for them early
01:46on.
01:47They obviously really like Austin Echler.
01:48They gave him a four year deal worth up to $24.5 million.
01:50And they also have Justin Jackson, the third year back out of Northwestern.
01:55They like him a lot.
01:56He played a lot early in the season before Melvin Gordon ended his holdout and played
01:59very well.
02:00He was averaging around seven yards per carry.
02:03That probably would have gone down.
02:04He continued to play so many snaps, but he was still going to be in all likelihood an
02:07effective runner.
02:08I think they're very comfortable with those two guys at the top of their backfield depth
02:11chart.
02:12Do you think the Chargers could maybe move, make a trade in the draft to kind of get inside
02:17that top three and maybe jump ahead of the Miami Dolphins for a quarterback?
02:21I think it's possible.
02:22They definitely have the draft ammunition to do that, but that's not really been an
02:26MO of this particular front office.
02:28They've traded up before, but again, very rarely.
02:31They traded up to number 15 in 2015 to get Melvin Gordon, but that's really it in terms
02:35of big moves up the draft board.
02:38So you have to say it's possible given the position, obviously quarterback is so valuable
02:42and they definitely want to land a quarterback to develop for the future.
02:45But it's also the case that they might just prefer to wait at their picks, see if a quarterback
02:49they like falls there.
02:50And if not, either go a different position or maybe even trade down depending on what
02:53the best value is.
02:54Jason, thanks for joining us today.
02:56Looking forward to the NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 23rd.