Obviously, the team most affected by the blockbuster trade at the top of the 2016 NFL Draft will be the Cleveland Browns, since they select right after at No. 2 overall, but don’t forget about the San Diego Chargers at No. 3. The Bolts are all but assured of their choice of position players now that the top two picks appear destined to be quarterbacks. This presents an interesting dilemma, but it really shouldn’t be an issue at all.
For nearly two months now, my hope has been that the Chargers would ditch conventional wisdom and go with defensive back Jalen Ramsey at No. 3 overall. Now that the top two offensive tackles, Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley, as well as rushers Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner are guaranteed to be there as well, the Bolts will have their choice of these great talents.
A case could be made to get Philip Rivers some protection with Tunsil or Stanley, and it could also be argued that upgrading the pass rush with Bosa or Buckner would be the best way to enhance the defense. But in today’s NFL, where teams spread you out and pass more than ever, the best investment a franchise can make is in a player capable of taking away those dynamic plays and sometimes turning defense into offense.
It’s hard to know how the Chargers really feel now after the big deal that went down 24 hours ago, but if I were general manger Tom Telesco I would be ecstatic. Being guaranteed to land Ramsey at No. 3 overall is the type of opportunity that doesn’t come along very often. His type of transcendent talent at an increasingly important position will help the Bolts to quickly climb the ranks in the AFC West and regain relevance around the league.