Chargers NFL Draft Picks 2020: Round-by-Round Results, Grades

The Los Angeles Chargers entered 2019 looking to improve on their 2018 campaign which saw the club go 12-4. But the Chargers got off to a 2-5 start in 2019 and went just 3-6 the rest of the season, missing the playoffs and finishing in last place in the AFC West.

In the 2019 NFL draft, the Chargers selected defensive tackle Jerry Tillery in the first round. They added safety Nasir Adderley in the second round and offensive tackle Trey Pipkins in the third round. Between the fourth and seventh rounds, the Chargers made just four picks. They selected linebacker Drue Tranquill, quarterback Easton Stick, linebacker Emeke Egbule and defensive tackle Cortez Broughton. 

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According to the MMQB's AFC South team needs, the Chargers already have a pretty well rounded roster entering next season, but could lose a number of their top players in free agency in 2021, creating a number of long-term questions. They enter this draft potentially looking to select their QB of the future, following the departure of Philip Rivers. Left tackle and linebacker are also other areas of needs as they look to their

The Chargers will pick No. 6 in the first round this year. You can follow along with Charger Report's draft live blog.

A full list of Los Angeles' picks will be updated below as the draft progresses. 

Round 1, Pick 6 (No. 6 overall): Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Andy Benoit's analysis: Those around the NFL said the Chargers, who are well-stocked on defense, believe they will not have an opportunity to draft this high again anytime soon. And so they jumped at the franchise QB. Like predecessor Philip Rivers, Herbert is a classic “big, strong pocket passer,” but unlike Rivers, he can also make plays with his legs. The big concern is whether Herbert can be consistently accurate enough. He has a fastball and can make throws that many starting NFL quarterbacks cannot, but he was wild at times as a Duck, not unlike how Cam Newton or Josh Allen can be. Quarterbacks like that are best suited for a downfield passing attack that is supported by a sound run game. The Chargers have good front line pieces here in wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, plus tight end Hunter Henry, but they still need more depth and run game weapons. Grade: B-

Round 1, Pick No. 23 (No. 23 overall): Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma

Andy Benoit's analysis: Murray, with his prototypical size, athleticism, speed and explosiveness, was widely regarded as the best stack linebacker in this class. The Chargers entered this draft with two-down linebacker Denzel Perryman and erratic ex-Bengal Nick Vigil penciled in atop their base package depth chart, and only 2019 fourth-rounder Drue Tranquill as a capable passing down linebacker. It’s a simple case of injecting talent where talent is needed, and it creates options for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who now has some depth and diversity to work with in the middle.

The only potential mark against this pick is that many see Murray’s blitzing prowess as a significant part of his value, and the Chargers are not a big blitzing defense. But maybe with Murray now paired with Derwin James, Bradley will get more aggressive. Grade: B

Round 4, No. 112 overall: Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA

Round 5, No. 151 overall: Joe Reed, WR, Virginia

Round 6, No. 186 overall: Alohi Gillman, S, Notre Dame

Round 7, No. 220 overall: K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State