2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after first bowl weekend

Philip Rivers isn’t getting any younger and at the ripe age of 35, so it might be time for the Chargers to find a better option to replace him than Kellen Clemens — I bet you didn’t know that was Rivers’ backup’s name. He is a couple years away from retirement and the Chargers would be wise to groom a young player now.

Rivers clearly has something left in the tank, passing for nearly 3,600 yards and 27 touchdowns through 14 games this season, but his career is winding down.

Deshaun Watson would be the best quarterback available and the only one left that would be considered first-round worthy after DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky get selected. The Chargers might boycott the idea of going offensive line with a top-10 pick (reaching) or wide receiver and pick a quarterback instead.

In my last mock, I had the Chargers picking a wide out with their first-round selection, but this time I think it might be better in the long run if they go with a quarterback, especially with Keenan Allen back next year and the young wideouts maturing in his absence.

Watson is a dual-threat who could bring a new look to the Chargers’ offense and maybe even join the new breed of talented young quarterbacks in the league. He needs to cut down on his interceptions, though.