INDIANAPOLIS – It seems as though Joe Burrow will not be following in the footsteps of Eli Manning.
The perceived No. 1 pick in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft squashed any potential odds of skipping out on playing for Cincinnati, when asked if he still wished to be drafted first overall this morning at the league’s Scouting Combine.
“Of course I want to be the first pick,” Burrow told reporters Tuesday. “That’s every kid’s dream. I’ve worked really, really hard for this opportunity. I’m blessed to be in this position.”
He continued.
“I’m a ball player,” Burrow said. “Whoever picks me, I’m going to go (and) show up.”
Barring a change of heart by the Bengals, and it appears they’re dead set on using their pick on Burrow, teams hoping to potentially have a chance for the LSU star will now have to hope another top quarterback prospect is still available when they’re on the clock.
"Of course I want to be the first pick. That's every kid's dream."- QB Joe Burrow
📺: 2020 #NFLCombine starts Thursday 4PM ET on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/VhoZnkRKy4
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 25, 2020
Coincidentally, one of these organizations? The Los Angeles Chargers, who were involved in the Manning sweepstakes back in 2004. After refusing to play for the Chargers, Manning was dealt to the New York Giants, in exchange for Philip Rivers, among other things.
Now the Chargers are at a crossroads. Rivers, looks to be on the way out after 16 seasons. Having moved away from the area, Los Angeles is in dire need of a new quarterback.
If things shake out right, the Chargers may be able to find their successor in the upcoming draft with the No. 6 pick, especially if Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert of Oregon drop to them.
“There’s a few quarterbacks here who are catching my eye, I’m sure,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said Tuesday afternoon. “There’s a lot of good players in this draft.”
Even if the Chargers miss out on one of the proclaimed top-three players at the position, Lynn will still have plenty of options. When asked if he was focused on anyone specific, Lynn chuckled, saying: “All of them.”
With Philip Rivers possibly departing, L.A. Chargers HC Anthony Lynn was asked if he was interested in any specific quarterback prospect. His answer: “All of them.” @TalkPrimeTime pic.twitter.com/M0MleD2sML
— Brendan Connelly (@BConn63) February 25, 2020
