Chargers Select Justin Herbert To Lead Franchise In '20 NFL Draft

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — The Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco manned the first round of the 2020 NFL Football Draft from his Newport Beach Home, making some big moves and organization shaping decisions, Thursday.

The Chargers selected Justin Herbert, the Oregon quarterback, during the 2020 online coronavirus era televised draft. Theirs was the sixth pick, overall, enabling them to draw the Eugene, Oregon native into the fold.

"He brings us a lot," Telesco said. "I think the combination of his physical skills, his style of how he plays, and his makeup. It's just really intriguing to us. He's a big, fast, dual-threat quarterback with plenty of room to grow."

The coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to make changes to how they televised their event. No audiences pressed with fans, no boo-birds for the commissioner—just remote videoconferencing, televised live, from the homes of each team's executive.

Herbert, who sat with his family awaiting the news at home in Eugene, Or., said that he was "thrilled and fired up for this opportunity."

He will have the chance to fill the cleats of long-time Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who became a free agent one month ago and has since signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Still, he'll have to earn the right to play.

Current Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor remains "in the driver's seat" to start in 2020, but "you would never tell anybody there's no competition," Telesco said. "Once we get on the grass, whatever happens, we'll go from there."

At 6 foot 5 inches, 236 pounds, Herbert scored 95 touchdown passes and amassed 10,541 passing yards during his career at Oregon.

The Oregon scholar and MVP football player received high honors while at Oregon, including the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is the equivalent of an "academic Heisman," honoring students who achieve both academic and athletic success.

Herbert graduated with a 4.0, was a three-time Dean's List honoree, and studied cell biology, organic chemistry, general physics, sensory physiology, and geologic hazards. Learning the playbook should come easy to the academic minded Herbert, announcers said during the draft.

"It was a very rewarding day for us," LA Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco said of the draft. "We love (Herbert's) quarterback potential, his quarterback makeup, his leadership skills, his toughness, his mental toughness, and being able to handle adversity."

The Chargers made some deals that keep them from a Friday draft selection on the second day of the draft, having traded two picks for the second-round draft pick of Oklahoma Linebacker Kenneth Murray.

The Chargers obtained that 23rd selection from the New England Patriots in exchange for a second and third-round choice, the 37th and 71st selections.

How do you think the 2020 draft is going for the Chargers? Let us know!