The last time the Chargers had a starting quarterback who went to Oregon it worked out pretty well. That guy's name was Dan Fouts.
So, Justin Herbert has some big shoes to fill.
The Bolts took Herbert with the 6th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. It's the first time they've selected a QB in the first round since 2004 (the famous select Eli Manning then trade him for Philip Rivers scenario).
When the Chargers decided not to bring back Rivers, who had started every game for the franchise since 2006, they handed the starting job to Tyrod Taylor. That now seems like a temporary solution, at best.
Herbert has all the measurables you want in an NFL passer: 6'6", 237 pounds with a cannon for an arm. He finished his 4-year career in Eugene with 95 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions. However, some scouts are concerned with his ability to read defenses and get the ball to the proper place fast enough to be successful in the National Football League.
The rookie will likely sit for at least a season to learn and improve as Taylor takes the reins. That was their only scheduled 1st round selection but the Bolts made a bit of a surprising choice and traded back in to get another player.
The Chargers sent a 2nd round (#37 overall) and a 3rd round pick (#71 overall) to the Patriots for the 23rd overall spot and grabbed Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. He's known as a hard-nosed, aggressive tackler who can make plays from sideline to sideline ... but his breakneck approach can also be a downfall.
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Murray is sometimes over-aggressive and can be fooled by misdirection in his desire to make a play. If the Chargers can get him to display a little more patience from down-to-down he can be an impact player. Murray also got rave reviews from coaches for his leadership ability.
He walked on campus in Norman and made an immediate impact, starting all 42 games he played in his three years with the Sooners. 23rd overall was a little earlier than most people had Murray projected but the Chargers need help at middle linebacker and think they got it but the price is steep. They now don't have another selection until the 4th round (112th overall).
