5 teams that can use Zach Mettenberger

4. San Diego Chargers

If this list seems similar to the original NFL draft order, that’s because it is. The order for claiming players off waivers uses the same record strength formula the draft uses. If the Browns decline to claim Mettenberger, the San Diego Chargers should be right behind them with a claim submitted.

Sure, in San Diego there’s no chance for Mettenberger to start but their franchise guy is no spring chicken. With Phillip Rivers set to turn 35 during this season, it would make perfect sense for the Chargers to get a guy in his early twenties to learn behind one of the best in the game.

The move would also help the Chargers now, should anything happen to Rivers. Currently, the second quarterback on the depth chart for San Diego is Kellen Clemens, and behind there is only undrafted rookie Mike Bercovici from Arizona State and former North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner (who was a teammate of Mettenberger’s for a brief spell in Tennessee in 2015).

Some fans of the team may say the move isn’t worth it because Mettenberger may never prove to be a full-time starter. That’s might be true, but he is someone to kick the tires on that gives them a younger, cheaper backup than Clemens.

And if it does work out, the team made a safe bet. And if they really could end up in Las Vegas, shouldn’t they start taking those kind of gambles?

Next: No. 3