5. Los Angeles Chargers
Perhaps the most perfect scenario for Kyler Murray would be to get selected by a team that has an entrenched veteran starter at QB whom Murray can learn under for a season or two before grabbing the reins.
A smart NFL team would find packages for Murray even if he’s the backup QB, while being careful to not overload him as a rookie.
The Chargers might represent the perfect landing spot for Murray as he could sit behind Philip Rivers for a season or two until his retirement opens the door for Murray to take over.
The Chargers went 12-4 in the regular season, earning a wildcard spot in the AFC playoffs. They knocked off the Ravens on the road in the Wildcard round before falling in Foxboro to the Patriots in the Divisional Round on Sunday.
Los Angeles has a lot of young talent at the skill positions and on defense, but their Super Bowl window is shrinking due to Philip Rivers’ advancing age and no viable signal-caller waiting in the wings.
Rivers just turned 37-years-old, and still commutes to Los Angeles during the season from his home in San Diego, which is roughly a two and a half hour drive. How many more years is he going to be willing to do that in pursuit of a ring?
Chances are Rivers has only a couple of more seasons left in him, which puts the Chargers in position this offseason to look at identifying their QB of the future.
The Chargers are currently slated to select No. 28 in the first round. They have enough talent on the roster that picking a QB at the end of the first round, even one with the risks that Murray presents, won’t set them back much if it is a swing and a miss.
If they truly covet Murray, however, barring stock slippage due to concerns over his size, they would likely need to move up in order to select him.