The Reese’s Senior Bowl is always a fun time for NFL fans (especially for the fans of teams who aren’t in the Super Bowl). This was perhaps the most hyped Senior Bowl in recent history thanks to the presence of the current Heisman Trophy winner (Baker Mayfield) and a big arm quarterback out of Wyoming (Josh Allen). Not often does the Senior Bowl attract two top 10 prospects in the same year.
Both quarterbacks did not disappoint this week during practice and the game. Mayfield showed off his superb accuracy and his fantastic leadership skills. Other players seemed to gravitate towards him in practice because of his infectious energy and his knowledge of the game. As for Allen, scouts were wowed all week by some of the splash plays he made with his big arm. The former Wyoming Cowboy QB displayed his rocket arm all through practice and even exhibited some touch on a couple of touchdown throws during the Senior Bowl.
Baker Mayfield was spotted meeting with a member of the Los Angeles #Chargers today (via @BradKelly17)
— Michael Peterson (@ChargersLAtely) January 27, 2018
It seems like both quarterbacks impressed a lot of teams in the market for a young signal-caller. One of those teams that have taken notice of both Allen and Mayfield were the Los Angeles Chargers. Our very own Michael Peterson was at the Senior Bowl and reported that the Chargers deed indeed meet with the former Oklahoma Sooner. The Chargers are also no stranger to Josh Allen either as they have extensively scouted Allen all throughout the college football season. Is this once again the Chargers just doing their homework, or is this a classic scenario of where there is smoke there is fire?
The Chargers currently hold the 17th overall selection in this year's current draft and with both quarterbacks improving their draft stock this past week, it looks like Los Angeles will have to move up into the top 10, maybe even top 5, if they are to come away with the apparent heir of Philip Rivers. Teams like the Colts, Buccaneers, or even the Browns (and their 4th overall pick, after they select a quarterback with the first overall pick) who are set at the QB position and have many holes to fill, will be likely trade down partners. The Chargers will have to give up a pretty hefty ransom if they are looking to move up into that range being that they are drafting in the middle of round 1.
The #Chargers have been linked to both Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield. If they are serious about either they will have to trade up (most likely with the #Colts ) to get the heir apparent of Rivers. LA will have to give up much more than the #Eagles did with the #Browns pic.twitter.com/69zHJXk3Vj
— Lugerini (@Lugerini) January 28, 2018
Los Angeles will have to use the Eagles trade with the Browns as a starting point. That automatically means parting with this year's first rounder (17th overall) and next years as well. In addition, the Chargers will have to part with a second rounder most likely in 2019 and a third rounder this year. And depending on where they have to trade up to, they might have to part with another second rounder and a fourth rounder in 2020.
So I would like to ask you Chargers fans, would that be worth it, if it meant Los Angeles finds their next QB to replace Rivers? Those are a lot of picks to trade away, but with the money the Chargers will be saving on a rookie QB contract, they can ultimately be bigger players in free agency to fill their wholes like the Eagles did this past year. That is probably unlikely being that Telesco comes from the Bill Polian school of thought of building through the draft.
For those of you who are in favor of securing the future quarterback of the Chargers, sound off below who you would want the Bolts to select after they trade up; are you Team Allen, or Team Mayfield!?