2020 NFL Draft Results: Los Angeles Chargers

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 (6^th 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 (23^rd 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 37^th and 71^st picks to the New England Patriots for their 23^rd 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 (112^th 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 (151^st 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 (186^th) – 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 (220^th 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:

1. LB Asmar Bilal – Notre Dame
2. RB Darius Bradwell – Tulane
3. CB John Brannon – Western Carolina
4. LB Cole Christiansen – Army
5. WR Jeff Cotton – Idaho
6. G Joshua Dunlop – Texas—San Antonio
7. NT Breiden Fehoko – Louisiana State
8. LB Romeo Finley – Miami
9. DE Joe Gaziano – Northwestern
10. G Nate Gilliam – Wake Forest
11. FB Bobby Holly – Louisiana Tech
12. DE Jesse Lemonier – Liberty
13. CB Kevin McGill – Eastern Michigan
14. FB Gabe Nabers – Florida State
15. TE Jared Rice – Fresno State
16. T Ryan Roberts – Florida State
17. WR Dalton Schoen – Kansas State
18. DT T.J. Smith – Arkansas
19. CB Donte Vaughn – Notre Dame