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The Los Angeles Chargers are snakebitten. A year after a surprise playoff berth ended at the hands of the New England Patriots, the Chargers have shown no ability to replicate that magic. The team has been through an astronomical amount of injuries, but quarterback play has been the biggest issue.
Starting signal-caller Philip Rivers is tied for the league lead in interceptions and has just been plain bad in recent weeks. As teams already start to look to the draft, Los Angeles has to realize that replacing Rivers is the first priority.
The Chargers were supposed to be Super Bowl contenders in 2019. Instead, poor quarterback play has torpedoed their chance of even reaching playoffs. Finding a starting signal-caller is no easy task, but the Chargers may have one fall into their lap.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending hip injury on Saturday. The hip injury will have a serious impact on his draft status. Before his injury, he was looked at as a top-five lock, with many thinking he would go No. 1 overall.
Now, there's debate if Tagovailoa should return to school for his senior season. Because of that horrific injury, it's feasible that the star quarterback falls to the Chargers in the draft, going off of the current draft order. Los Angeles is currently slated to pick eleventh. If Tagovailoa falls that far, it's a tremendous value pick for general manager Tom Telesco.
We already know that Tagovailoa fits a need. The question is if he'll be able to play at an NFL level.
Everyone in the scouting community knows that based solely on skill, Tagovailoa is ready. He possesses pinpoint accuracy and moves well. His deep ball is a thing of beauty. Playing under Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa has surely given him a great football IQ.
While Tua may sound like the perfect prospect, one huge concern remains. Durability is a necessity for all top flight prospects. Tagovailoa has been riddled with injuries in the last two seasons, sustaining a nagging ankle injury and now the hip fracture. The hip injury isn't expected to be a problem in the future, as it was treated quickly.
The Chargers should be willing to look past Tagovailoa's injuries. Because they aren't regarded as career changers, Los Angeles must take a risk. The young quarterback fits a need, and is incredibly talented. With some luck, he could be the missing piece to a Super Bowl roster.
If Tagovailoa falls into their lap, the Chargers need to roll the dice on him and not think twice.
