Los Angeles Chargers: 3 early targets with the No. 6 overall pick

If the Los Angeles Chargers want to get back into competitive status, they should look into these three prospects with the No. 6 pick.

The Los Angeles Chargers are officially in a transition period. They finished 5-11 and in the basement of the AFC West. Philip Rivers‘ days could be numbered as the starting quarterback, and Melvin Gordon could be leaving in free agency. The Chargers were viewed as a Super Bowl team coming into the season, but their team was not near ready for that level.

Los Angeles has a lot of holes to fix before the start of the 2020 season. They hold the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft and cannot afford to miss on this one. Here are three options for the Chargers as they prepare.

3. DT Derrick Brown – Auburn

Brown is the top defensive lineman in this draft. He could be there when the Chargers make their way to the podium, but the question is, will the Chargers go defensive line two years in a row? In the 2019 NFL Draft, Los Angeles selected Jerry Tillery out of Notre Dame.

It is possible. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram saw a heavy dose of double teams this season because of the lack of depth on the line. Adding Brown would fix that problem because he will be a player that defenses will have to game plan for immediately.

2. OT Andrew Thomas – Georgia

If a quarterback is the foundation of an offense, the left tackle is a close second. Andrew Thomas is the top-ranked lineman in this draft. The 6-5, 320-pound former Bulldog has all the tools to be a wall on the left side of a line for years to come.

The Chargers, who should be transitioning to a younger quarterback, will need a complete overhaul on the offensive line. Thomas would be an ideal start. The only question is if he will fall to No. 6. If he does, there is no question that he will end up in Los Angeles.

1. QB Justin Herbert – Oregon

Thomas to Los Angeles is a lock if he is available. He is listed No. 2 on this list because it is unlikely that he falls past the New York Giants, but anything is possible. If he's not there, it will give the Chargers a chance to draft what they hope will be their next franchise quarterback.

Oregon's Justin Herbert is an experienced player with a lot of talent. He has the size and arm strength to be a successful player. Joe Burrow will be taken first overall, and Tua Tagovailoa seems destined to be a Miami Dolphin. This leaves the Chargers with Herbert, and that is not a bad thing.