During the 2018 season the San Francisco 49ers went 4-12; the following season the 49ers went 13-3 and played in the Super Bowl. So, which team that was under .500 last season can make a Super Bowl run this year?
The LA Chargers.
Yes, they play in the same division as the reigning Super Bowl Champions; yes, they lost a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Phillip Rivers during the off-season, and yes, Head Coach Anthony Lynn is consistently under the hot seat, but this is the year they make the Super Bowl.
The Chargers are one of the more complete and talented teams in the AFC. LA shored up their offensive line this offseason by signing Tackle Bryan Bulaga from the Packers and trading for five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner from the Panthers. Coupled with Center Mike Pouncey; this has the makings of a very good offensive line. Those two signings complete the offense that also includes two 1,000 yard receivers in Kennan Allen and Mike Williams. In addition to a very good tight end in Hunter Henry, and a breakout candidate in running back Austin Ekeler.
All that is missing on the offensive side of the ball is a quarterback. I know what you’re saying…..Quarterback is the most important position in football! You are correct, but there are two reasons why the Chargers are covered. One, Tyrod Taylor is already embedded into the system and had a successful run with Anthony Lynn in Buffalo. In a similar situation that he had in Cleveland Taylor could start a few games then give way to a rookie quarterback. Second, the NFL draft.
LA could remain at the number sixth overall pick and hope that Tua falls or draft Justin Herbert, but let’s be aggressive here and trade up. Given how successful trading up has been to get the quarterback you desire. Considering seven teams that made the playoffs the past two seasons (Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore, Texans, Eagles and the Bears and Rams the year before that) all traded up to get their quarterback.
Here is the trade:
LA Chargers get number four overall pick
NY Giants get the sixth overall pick, third-rounder and fourth-rounder
According to the NFL draft trade value chart, this trade is even; on the other hand, trading up for a quarterback can get expensive in terms of draft capital. The Rams traded two ones, two twos and two threes to the Titans to select Jared Goff. The Rams did receive a one, fourth, sixth and seventh in the trade. The Eagles traded two ones, a second, third and a fourth-round pick for Carson Wentz. A more realistic trade would have to include at least two number ones, a second and at least a fourth.
This trade is predicated on the Bengals, Redskins and Lions holding on to their picks and selecting Joe Burrow, Chase Young, and Jeffrey Okudah respectively. All signs point to this being the case (especially since the Lions traded away Darrius Slay), however, this is the NFL draft and anything could happen. A team willing to trade up for a quarterback could entice the Redskins or Lions to trade back, and given how both teams have a multitude of needs this could very well happen. What makes sense for this trade is the Giants need to trade down. Several mock drafts have the Giants drafting an offensive lineman (Tristan Wirfs of Iowa, Jedrick Willis of Alabama, or Andrew Thomas of Georgia) or Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. Both sets of players would be available at the number six pick.
Look at the recent history of the NFL look how successful adding a dynamic passer to an already talented roster works out. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs both won the Super Bowls doing this exact model.
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