We have a trade!
It’s not necessarily realistic for the Chargers, a generally respected organization, to trade up 13 spots for a quarterback prospect like Daniel Jones. It’s not that Jones won’t be able to produce at the next level; it’s that his ceiling might not be worth the coinciding lack of upside.
Still, some are higher on Jones than others, and he does have some redeemable qualities. He’s an above-average athlete who worked with Peyton Manning’s college mentor, David Cutcliffe, while at Duke. Jones has just enough talent where sitting behind Philip Rivers for a year could help him emerge onto the scene. The Chargers, knowing they need a succession plan, and knowing that the Redskins could have interest in Jones, gave their best offer to sway Washington. The following trade is the result:
The Chargers met with Daniel Jones at the Combine, so if they came away with a good enough impression, they could be interested in negotiating with the Redskins for this pick. Jones is the most likely of the quarterbacks to slip to No. 15, but even then, he offers enough talent for a team like Los Angeles to imagine what he might be after a year of mentorship from Philip Rivers. So the Chargers get their quarterback of the future, or at least they hope. And the Redskins trade back for a treasure trove of picks, with the leverage they have at No. 15.