Tag: Chargers draft

Chargers bolster trenches in Daniel Jeremiah’s second mock draft

The Chargers address the offensive line in Daniel Jeremiah’s second mock draft.

In NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft, the Chargers took Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

In his second one, Los Angeles addresses the same side of the ball by getting Justin Herbert protection in Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.

This feels like a statement pick, seeing how it’ll be Jim Harbaugh’s first selection since becoming the Chargers’ head coach. Alt would take over at right tackle in short order. Keep in mind that new GM Joe Hortiz came from Baltimore, where eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden started at guard his rookie year before taking over at tackle.

Alt was a staple up front for the Fighting Irish over the past three seasons. He was a starter during his freshman year in 2021 and held that role throughout his college career.

A consensus All-American in 2023, Alt only allowed four sacks throughout his career and was the highest-graded offensive lineman in the country this past season, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Chargers will look to improve the running game and ensure that Justin Herbert is kept upright, so Alt has been and will continue to be mocked to Los Angeles.

However, with Rashawn Slater at left tackle and Alt only playing that position his entire college career, that would require a change to right tackle over Trey Pipkins.

While it could be done, banking on it working with someone with the No. 5 overall selection might be a risk.

That’s why I believe they’re better off trading down and selecting a true right tackle, like Alabama’s JC Latham or Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.

2024 NFL draft: Full list of Chargers’ projected picks in each round

The official order of the draft hasn’t been set yet, but there are unofficial projections courtesy of Tankathon.

As it stands, the Chargers are projected to have eight picks in the 2024 NFL draft. The official order of the draft hasn’t been set yet, but there are unofficial projections courtesy of Tankathon.

The official draft slots are to be released by the league closer to the draft.

With that, here is a look at the Bolts’ projected order of picks.

Round 1: No. 5 overall

Round 2: No. 37 overall

Round 3: No. 69 overall

Round 4: No. 106 overall

Round 5: No. 139 overall

Round 6: No. 183 overall

Round 7: No. 223 overall

Round 7: No. 256 overall (compensatory pick)

Chargers take wide receiver in Touchdown Wire’s latest mock draft

The Chargers go wide receiver, and it is not Malik Nabers.

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar put out his latest 2024 NFL mock draft, and he has the Chargers taking Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 5 overall selection.

LSU’s Malik Nabers has been the wide receiver commonly pegged to Los Angeles, but Odunze should also be in consideration when they’re on the clock.

While he doesn’t possess the same level of explosiveness as Nabers, Odunze is still a talented receiver with great size, good route running and savvy, strong hands, and contested catch ability.

Odunze set a school record this past season with 1,640 receiving yards, which was the most in the NCAA. His 92 receptions were just two shy of a single-season program record, and he was named a First-Team All-American.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has already had a look at Odunze when Washington faced Michigan in the National Championship game. Odunze finished with five catches for 87 yards.

Mike Williams could be relieved to clear cap space. Keenan Allen could be a cap casualty too, but even if he stays, he isn’t getting any younger. Quentin Johnston still has to prove himself after an underwhelming rookie season. Odunze would be a solid addition to the positional room.

2024 NFL draft: 7 Michigan players who could follow Jim Harbaugh to Chargers

Jim Harbaugh could bring in a few players he coached at Michigan in this year’s draft.

Familiarity plays a big role in roster-building. For head coach Chargers Jim Harbaugh and some of his coaches on staff, they have a slew of players they coached at Michigan who could follow them to Los Angeles.

Here is a look at seven that could be targeted when April’s draft rolls around.

Insdorf’s Guys: 2024 NFL draft ‘crushes’ the Chargers might love

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Alex Insdorf’s 2024 NFL draft crushes the Los Angeles Chargers might love.

It’s full throttle towards the combine and draft season now that both the college and NFL seasons are in the can. At Joe Hortiz’s press conference last week, he laid out a vision that was highly dependent on using valuable draft picks to build a strong foundation. It makes sense as that’s how a lot of his previous organization’s teams in Baltimore were built.

LA’s cap situation is obviously tight as well. They’re not going to be players in the free agent market outside of a few smaller signings in the margins.

To initiate the retool/rebuild in LA under a new regime, here are five draft crushes that I think could give the Chargers a significant boost.

Gavino’s Guys: 2024 NFL draft ‘crushes’ the Chargers might love

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with 2024 NFL draft crushes the Los Angeles Chargers might love.

Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air.

Some of you are celebrating the day with your significant other, but some are without a Valentine, like me. So today, I’d like to reveal who I have a crush on.

I’m talking about some NFL draft prospects whose tape I enjoyed watching, and that would make sense for the Chargers when they’re on the clock in April.

With that, let’s see who’s drawn my attention.

2024 NFL mock draft: Chargers trade back, add pair of Michigan players in three-round projections

The Chargers moved back five spots in this scenario.

The Chargers must load up on as much talent as possible this offseason to compete with the back-to-back Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, next season.

With the No. 5 overall selection, Los Angeles is in an excellent position to trade back and stockpile more draft picks.

For this mock draft, L.A. trades picks with the Jets, who move up five spots to select Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. Meanwhile, the Bolts acquire an additional third-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick.

Let’s dive in!

2024 NFL draft: Chargers go wide receiver, linebacker in ESPN’s latest two-round projections

The Chargers go wide receiver and linebacker with these two selections.

ESPN’s Matt Miller released his latest two-round mock draft on Monday.

With their first-round selection, Miller pegged former LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers to Los Angeles.

The explosive Nabers shouldn’t be considered a mere consolation prize for whatever team misses out on Harrison. In fact, three NFL scouts I spoke to at the Senior Bowl told me they actually have Nabers ranked ahead of Harrison on their initial draft boards. Nabers’ speed, ability to make defenders miss and consistent hands throughout contact and traffic are why some teams are falling in love with his game. He would be a great fit with Justin Herbert — especially with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams exiting their peak years and struggling to stay healthy. Nabers is coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard, 14-TD season.

Nabers, the 6-foot and 200-pound wideout, is a dynamic playmaker whose release, play speed and run-after-catch ability make him a home-run threat each time he touches the ball.

Nabers is coming off his most productive season, as he finished with 89 receptions for 1,569 yards (17.6 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns. 17 of those catches went over 30 yards.

Even though the Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston this past year, they still lack an explosive element in the offense. Furthermore, Mike Williams could be a cap casualty, and Keenan Allen is not getting any younger.

Insert Nabers into the offense and he and Justin Herbert would do wonders together.

With their second-round selection, Miller gave the Chargers former Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

The middle of the field has long been an issue for the Chargers’ defense, and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. hits free agency this offseason. Cooper, a top-25 player on my board who is here only because of positional value, could upgrade the defense with his three-down ability. He posted 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three pass breakups in 2023.

It’s not being talked about as much as other positions, but linebacker is a big need for the Chargers. Kenneth Murray is set to hit the free agency market and Eric Kendricks could be released to clear up some salary cap space.

Cooper is a speedy, rangy, explosive linebacker whose coverage skills and ability to defend the run and blitz are high-quality NFL traits.

Jim Harbaugh’s first Chargers coaching staff taking shape

While the team hasn’t officially announced any hirings, we know some of the coaches Jim Harbaugh will have on his staff.

At his introductory press conference, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the No. 1 priority is building the coaching staff.

While the team hasn’t officially announced any hirings, we know some of the coaches Harbaugh will have on his staff.

According to KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, Mike Devlin is expected to coach the offensive line. Jesse Minter will be the defensive coordinator. Jay Harbaugh will coach the safeties. Ryan Ficken is expected to be retained as special teams coordinator. Greg Roman will be brought in, but his role remains to be seen.

Devlin, a 21-year NFL coaching veteran, finished his second season as the Ravens’ assistant offensive line coach.

Minter was on Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan as defensive coordinator, where he led college football’s top-ranked unit in 2023.

Harbaugh was an assistant coach for the Wolverines and worked with the running backs and safeties.

Roman was previously Baltimore’s offensive coordinator from 2019-2022. He is very familiar with Harbaugh, having been his OC with the 49ers from 2011-2014 and an associate head coach on Harbaugh’s staff at Stanford in 2009 and 2010.

Offensive standouts for Chargers from Senior Bowl: Day 3

Here’s who stood out on the offensive side of the ball.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl concluded practices on Thursday, with at least two high-ranking members of the Chargers scouting team in Mobile, AL to watch some of this year’s top draft prospects.

Here’s who stood out on the offensive side of the ball.