In a recent article by Seth Walder, an analyst for ESPN, the Chargers were rated as the second-best team in the NFL in drafting quarterback talent since 1967, just behind the New England Patriots.
Ranking how all 32 NFL teams have fared drafting quarterbacks since 1967: we measured each QB by career performance against expectation given where they were drafted. Numbers by @bburkeESPN.https://t.co/fClApCpbZv
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) June 23, 2020
“I saw the Chargers at No. 2, and for a moment, I thought, “Huh?” But then it clicked. Even with the Leaf disaster, the Chargers have drafted several successful quarterbacks ... for other teams. The aforementioned Brees is one. Eli Manning and Trent Green are two more.”
“Add in Dan Fouts, a Hall of Famer drafted with the 64th overall pick who did play for them, and it all makes perfect sense.”
Reiterating some of what Walder says above, it’s tough to see the Chargers so high and then remember they’re only in this spot due to the talent that went and played elsewhere. Fouts are both phenomenal quarterbacks in their own right, but the Super Bowls won by their past draft picks were all for different teams. That is quite the frustrating fact.
The Chargers landed just ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, who boast the legendary Peyton Manning, along with Andrew Luck and — believe it or not — John Elway. Some forget that Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts but refused to play for the franchise. That fact sounds awfully similar to the Chargers situation, coincidentally.
At any rate, if the Chargers have such a good pedigree when it comes to drafting quarterbacks, then we should all have zero doubts in Justin Herbert, right? Right. Finger crossed.
Now for today’s links.
Chargers News:
Hayley Elwood gets to know OT Storm Norton (Chargers.com)
QB Justin Herbert gets a letter from his parents (Chargers.com)
Gavino Borquez looks at RB Austin Ekeler’s success as a receiver in the end zone (Chargers Wire)
Jason Reed takes an early look at the Chargers’ 2020 opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bolt Beat)
NFL News:
Seth Walder ranks every team’s history of drafting quarterbacks (ESPN)
Joe Kaisar hosts a ten-team mock fantasy draft (ESPN)
Jared Dubin discusses how Colin Kaepernick’s game fits the current NFL (CBS Sports)
Sean Wagner-McGough ranks the top-10 linebackers in the NFL (CBS Sports)
Tyler Conway reports on the Seahawks and Ravens having conversations with WR Antonio Brown (Bleacher Report)
Tom Brady is still working out with teammates despite warnings from NFLPA (Pro Football Talk)