After becoming a Heisman finalist with the TCU Horned Frogs, quarterback Max Duggan is entering the NFL. With a total of eight TCU players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Duggan had to wait until No. 239 to join his teammates at the next level.
But the Iowa native lands in a nice landing spot with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he becomes the top developmental QB project for offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Obviously, Duggan won’t threaten Justin Herbert’s starting job, but the rookie could find himself in a competition with Easton Stick for the QB2 role.
Duggan is 22 years old and has plenty of time to grow. Being that the Chargers have no plans of putting him on the field in a competitive situation, taking a gamble on a player who led his team to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship can’t hurt.
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In fact, Duggan even gets to join fellow former Horned Frogs with the Chargers after the team selected wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the 21st pick and receiver Derius Davis with the 125th pick. Surely both receivers put in a good word for their former college QB. Now, the trio teams up with the ‘Bolts.
He may not have the same ceiling of the other quarterbacks selected near the top of the NFL Draft, but the Chargers don’t need Duggan to be a home run. At this stage, if he ever becomes anything more than a prospect, this seventh-round pick will be a big win. If not, it’s no different than most late-round selections. Call it a low-risk, high-reward selection, which is what the draft is all about on Day 3.
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