Pro Football Focus laid out the best-case scenario for the Chargers in the draft with the goal of finding players who fit Jim Harbaugh’s vision and selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as their first pick.
The Chargers need to play physical football in all three phases next season. The Bolts want to draft the most talented players, but there is another factor driving those decisions.
One characteristic that Harbaugh is infamous for is his ability to change a program’s culture, and it could be argued that this is also what Los Angeles needs most.
PFF believes taking Bowers at No. 5 is worth it because Justin Herbert needs a talented tight end to throw to. Additionally, Harbaugh and Greg Roman have coached several elite tight ends throughout the years.
They also believe that bringing in players Harbaugh is familiar with from coaching at Michigan, and the son of one of his former players when he was the coach of the 49ers, Frank Gore.
Along the way, Harbaugh could look to bring in Michigan graduates, such as running back Blake Corum, wide receiver Roman Wilson and interior defender Kris Jenkins, who all know his habits firsthand. Another name to watch could be Southern Mississippi’s Frank Gore Jr., whose father was coached by Harbaugh when they were both in San Francisco.
I believe that the best-case scenario for Los Angeles involves trading back a few spots to get more draft ammo in the first few rounds while still being able to draft a player like Bowers or a top tackle or cornerback.