2018 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Chargers 7-round mock draft in November

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles Chargers are finally making a push for the AFC Playoffs this year. Take a look at who they should select in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Los Angeles Chargers are heading into the final stretch of the 2017 regular season, looking to sneak into the AFC Playoffs after starting the year with four-straight losses. Regardless of whether they achieve that goal or not, this Los Angeles football team still has a ton of holes to fill before they become contenders for a Lombardi Trophy.

Sure, they are definitely heading in the right direction, but all the right pieces aren’t in place quite yet. That said, with a few more successful drafts, they could close in on football’s ultimate stage sooner rather than later.

That said, take a look at who the Bolts should draft this April:

LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 18: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass against the Syracuse Orange during the game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 18: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass against the Syracuse Orange during the game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Round 1: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Say what you want about Lamar Jackson’s ability to play quarterback in the NFL, I personally believe this kid has a chance to be great under head coach Anthony Lynn. It’s still undecided whether Louisville’s junior quarterback will declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, but if he does, the Chargers need to take a chance on the 2016 Heisman winner.

Jackson has thrown for 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 17 additional scores this season for the Cardinals. While he hasn’t been in the limelight this season, I believe he’s actually better than he was in 2016.

There’s no telling how much longer Philip Rivers will be able to stay in this league, which is primary reason number one why Los Angeles has to start thinking about a long-term option at quarterback. Not to mention, there’s no reason to draft Jackson to immediately play him.

Rather, by drafting Jackson in 2018, Los Angeles will have given him a chance to sit and learn the NFL game. We’ve seen some young guys come up in the past few years and start right away, but that shouldn’t necessarily be the case for the kid from UofL.