FPC Chargers is proud to present the team’s 2020 NFL Draft results. The Los Angeles Chargers continued to transform its identity by selecting six picks. The FPC Chargers Draft Guide was able to highlight three of the selections and identified the likelihood of picking two Day Three wide receivers. Perhaps the most telling element of this draft is the vote of confidence from the team in incumbent cornerbacks Michael Davis and Brandon Facyson as well as presumptive left tackle Trey Pipkins. This article provides a preview of the draft picks with links to find out more information about them. All stats are courtesy of http://www.sports-reference.com.
Round 1 (6th overall) – QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
After pre-draft hype around a trade up, general manager Tom Telesco opted to stay at his original position. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ended up being picked up the selection before the Bolts were picked, leaving the with Justin Herbert. The 6’6”, 237lb cannon-arm started 43 games while at Oregon, managing a very respectable 61 passing touchdowns to 14 interceptions over the last two years. Over these four years, he also managed rushing 13 touchdowns, adding another threat to the red zone offense.
See the Initial Reaction here: Justin Herbert
See FPC draft profiles on this player here: FPC Raiders and FPC Dolphins
Round 1 (23rd overall) – LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
In their first draft day trade up since 2015, Telesco selected defensive stalwart Kenneth Murray (6’2”, 234lbs). The Chargers traded their 37th and 71st picks to the New England Patriots for their 23rd overall pick. Murray provides more speed to the second level of the defense with 4.52 speed. Over the course of three years, Murray racked up 325 total tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and 1 fumble. In coverage, he batted down six passes.
See the Initial Reaction here: Kenneth Murray
See FPC draft profiles on this player here: FPC Raiders and FPC Chiefs
Round 4 (112th overall) – RB Joshua Kelley, UCLA
Their next pick, Joshua Kelley (5’11”, 219lbs), started off at the FCS level with the University of California, Davis. There, he managed 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns over two years prior to transferring to a Chip Kelly-led UCLA. Over 22 games with UCLA, Kelley gained 2,303 rushing yards and 264 receiving yards. More impressive was his 25 total touchdowns. He offers a strong compliment for lead running back Austin Ekeler.
See the Initial Reaction here: Joshua Kelley
Round 5 (151st overall) – WR Joe Reed, Virginia
The Chargers then added to their receiving depth and special teams with wide receiver Joe Reed (6’1”, 215lbs). The former led the nation in average kickoff return yards and touchdowns in both 2017 and 2019. More impressively, he also returned five kicks for touchdowns, seven in each of the past two years. As a receiver over four years, Reed went caught 129 passes for 1,465 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage. Finally, he was also given 34 carries as a multi-purpose weapon. Reed offers explosive return ability for the Chargers along with receiving depth.
See the Initial Reaction here: Joe Reed
See FPC draft profiles on this player here: FPC Raiders
Round 6 (186th) – S Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame
As suggested in the draft guide, the Chargers needed more special team assets. They were able to get another piece in safety Alohi Gilman (5’10”, 202lbs). As a transfer from Navy, he played 40 games over three years. He had a combined 244 total tackles, 11 for loss. 5 forced fumbles and 1 sack. In coverage, he had 12 pass breakups and three interceptions. While it is unlikely that he gets many defensive snaps with a loaded position group, he’ll compete for special teams snaps.
See the Initial Reaction here: Alohi Gilman
Round 7 (220th overall) – WR KJ Hill, Ohio State
The Chargers final selection was a draft faller in wide receiver KJ Hill (6’0”, 195lbs). He broke a school record for receptions by a Buckeye (201) and tied the record for consecutive games with a catch (49). With average speed (4.60), he makes plays with superb route running ability. Being in the same wide receiver room as Keenan Allen should only help him transition to the NFL. He also provides experience in the punt return phase (46 career punt returns).
See the Initial Reaction here: KJ Hill
See FPC draft profiles on this player here: FPC Colts and FPC Raiders
See the full list of Undrafted Free Agents here:
- LB Asmar Bilal – Notre Dame
- RB Darius Bradwell – Tulane
- CB John Brannon – Western Carolina
- LB Cole Christiansen – Army
- WR Jeff Cotton – Idaho
- G Joshua Dunlop – Texas—San Antonio
- NT Breiden Fehoko – Louisiana State
- LB Romeo Finley – Miami
- DE Joe Gaziano – Northwestern
- G Nate Gilliam – Wake Forest
- FB Bobby Holly – Louisiana Tech
- DE Jesse Lemonier – Liberty
- CB Kevin McGill – Eastern Michigan
- FB Gabe Nabers – Florida State
- TE Jared Rice – Fresno State
- T Ryan Roberts – Florida State
- WR Dalton Schoen – Kansas State
- DT T.J. Smith – Arkansas
- CB Donte Vaughn – Notre Dame