2020 NFL Mock Draft round-up: The 4 players always off the board before the Chargers pick

The LA Chargers are slated to pick sixth in this year’s draft, and given GM Tom Telesco’s (non-existent) trade history, that is likely where they will stay. Perhaps given that this is the first time since 2004 that the team could be without Philip Rivers, maybe that’ll ignite a move in Telesco, but as of now, LA is only grazing the top-five.

Not Telesco should trade up, but if he doesn’t, most January mock drafters seem sure that there are four players who will consistently be taken before the Chargers make a pick.

Over at WalterFootball.com, they have a database of every mock draft they deem worthy of keeping track of at this time. Among those, and updated as of Wednesday, are WalterFootball’s own mock, SB Nation’s mock, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, Daniel Jeremiah, SI, NBC, NF, Yahoo!, and many more.

Everyone has quarterback Joe Burrow going number one.

Everyone has pass rusher Chase Young going second.

Then things start to get a little choppy, but there are two names that are almost always off the board at either three, four, or five: cornerback Jeff Okudah and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

How meaningful is this? Well, I think that Burrow and Young seem safe to go where expected, and Okudah has been drawing this hype for awhile. Elite corners are hard to come by and carry significant value in the league. But I have my doubts about Tua.

If he was taken outside of the top five after the full draft season, I would not be surprised. If he went third, I would not be surprised.

Among those who are also listed often in the top five are linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons, defensive tackle Derrick Brown, tackle Andrew Thomas, and receiver Jerry Jeudy. Tackles Jedrick Wills and Tristan Wirfs are also seen regularly, while quarterback Justin Herbert is not often seen at that level in mock drafts quite yet. Another thing that could change after the combine.

What this tells me is that if you want the Chargers to draft an offensive tackle, there could be a very good prospect at that position left by pick six. If you want them to draft Burrow, Young, or Okudah, that seems as unlikely now as it did when the season ended.

Who is your top prospect on the board if Burrow, Young, Okudah, and Tua weren’t there?