Tag: Chargers mock draft

Chargers mock draft roundup: Who Los Angeles is projected to take in Rounds 2-3

Analysts project what the Chargers will do with their picks on Day 2.

The Chargers came out of the first round with offensive tackle Joe Alt. After the selection, Los Angeles should have their focus on wide receiver, cornerback and the interior part of the defensive line.

General manager Joe Hortiz will have picks No. 37 and 69 to add more talent to the roster.

With that, here’s a glimpse at who L.A. could add on Friday based on what a few mock drafts are projecting.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso 

Round 2: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Analysis: “Keon Coleman is a young wideout who plays a tick faster than his timed speed and flashes acrobatic catch skill.”

Round 3: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein

Round 2: DT Braden Fiske, Florida State

Analysis: “Fiske is all gas and no brakes on every single snap, which is exactly what Jim Harbaugh is looking for.”

Round 3: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko & Trevor Sikkema

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Analysis: “The Chargers need to improve almost everywhere on defense. They find a versatile defensive lineman in Newton. He has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment from three-technique to five-technique.”

Round 3: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

“Brooks is an ideal blend of size, speed, strength and agility. Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.”

NBC Sports’ Eric Froton

Round 2: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Analysis: “A tweener who many scouts profile as a slot corner/safety in addition to having game-breaking punt return prowess, DeJean allowed a 38% catch rate with just 44 YAC on 20 receptions this season. The Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and member of the famed Bruce Feldman “Freaks List”, DeJean could be the Chargers’ new version of Eric Weddle.”

Round 3: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

ESPN’s Steve Muench

Round 2: WR Ladd McConkey

Analysis: “The Chargers address their most pressing need at receiver after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason, snagging the No. 31 overall player on my board.”

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame

Round 2: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Round 3: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler

Round 2: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

Round 3: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Analysis: “Given the Chargers’ need for another running back and Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for Corum, this match feels almost too obvious.”

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

2024 NFL mock draft round-up: Experts make final picks for Chargers

Analysts make their final predictions on what the Chargers will do with their first-round pick.

The 2024 NFL draft is a little under 24 hours away, and the final predictions have been made.

Here’s one last mock draft roundup as analysts make their picks for the Chargers:

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: OT JC Latham, Alabama

Analysis: “This is where we could potentially see a trade, but I’m going to take the Chargers at their word that they want to be a more physical team and improve their run game. It might be a little bit of a surprise to see Latham go before Joe Alt, but the former Alabama star is ready to rock at right tackle and is a more powerful blocker than his Notre Dame counterpart.”

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Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald & Nate Tice: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State & EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State (via trade with Vikings)

Analysis: “Head coach Jim Harbaugh has stressed the importance of offensive linemen and can get his hands on a big-time talent with Fashanu, who is falling down draft boards after an inconsistent senior season, which may have been due to injury. Either way, Fashanu can slide into right tackle while the Chargers figure out a different route for their wide receiver problem.”

“The second Chargers pick goes to the defensive trenches, picking up Verse to solidify their future at defensive end. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are still on the roster, but Mack isn’t going to be around that much longer and the Chargers need insurance in case Bosa’s injury history continues. This is a good landing spot for Verse at this point in the draft.”

ESPN’s Matt Miller: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State & Clemson’s Nate Wiggins (via trade with Vikings)

Analysis: “The Chargers trade back from No. 5 here in my projected deal but still land a powerful right tackle to shore up the offensive line. Fuaga is a massive people-mover at 324 pounds and has also shown excellent agility in space in the Beavers’ zone-run scheme. The Chargers do need wide receiver help, but the depth at that position means addressing it at pick No. 23 (acquired from the Vikings in our projected trade) or in Round 2 is possible.”

“The fastest cornerback in the class goes to the Chargers, where the team has a gigantic need that must be addressed early. Wide receiver can wait a little longer, with the Chargers back on the clock at No. 37 in Round 2 and the cornerback class not as deep. Wiggins’ speed (4.28 in the 40-yard dash), motor and length at 6-2 make him a high-ceiling player with a bright future. The Chargers allowed 7.7 yards per pass attempt last season (28th), but he can help.”

The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Analysis: “New Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh is all about getting more physical up front. While I could see a receiver going here, there was one quote I picked up from GM Joe Hortiz last week at his pre-draft presser: “I can promise you that wide receiver is going to be a deep position in the draft every year. It’s just the way the game has changed and evolved.”

So yes, the Chargers need to replace Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but they could get a receiver later in the draft. This also could be a trade-down spot because the Chargers covet a few of the top offensive linemen. If they go with Joe Alt, the plan would more than likely be to play him at right tackle.”

Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Analysis: “Given their needs at both tackle and receiver, I don’t think the Chargers can go wrong with either Alt or LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers here. Alt earned a 90.7 PFF grade last season, leading all offensive linemen in this class. A phenomenal prospect at tackle, the 6-foot-8, 322-pounder allowed just five pressures from 368 pass-blocking snaps last season.”

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia & JC Latham, Alabama (via trade with Vikings)

Analysis: “Bowers is a prototypical player for Harbaugh’s offense. Many will argue that this is a prime receiver destination, but Harbaugh has never prioritized the position. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t had good ones, but he prioritizes tight ends because he wants to run offense out of 12 personnel (two tight ends). It creates extra pressure on the defense by either spreading out the offense to pass the ball or getting big to run the ball. Bowers can own the middle of the field in the pass game and block in the run game.”

“There are plenty of quality offensive linemen available here that would allow Harbaugh to run a team in his image. Do we expect him to suddenly deviate from that? He once told me and my announcer partner, Gus Johnson, that his offensive philosophy comes from his dad saying, “When you finally bury me, I want a diagram of a power play on my tombstone.” That’s how deeply they care about the physical nature of how to run the football.”

Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon: OT JC Latham, Alabama (via trade with Vikings)

Analysis: “The Latham-to-the-Chargers buzz has been building, and he’s the exact type of lineman Jim Harbaugh has loved in his prior stops.”

NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers: OT JC Latham, Alabama

Analysis: “I don’t think there is a “consensus” No. 1 tackle across NFL front offices compared to how the media views Joe Alt. This makes Latham in play for the Chargers at No. 5, where he plugs in at right tackle and fits the mauling style Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz crave.”

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Analysis: “I thought about tackle Joe Alt here, but opted to go for a weapon for Justin Herbert. I could see the Chargers trading down to get more picks, but I think they would be wise to add Harrison.”

The Ringer: OT JC Latham, Alabama & DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Analysis: “As we approach the draft, I’ve heard nothing but rosy projections for Latham. New head coach Jim Harbaugh saw Latham firsthand in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff this year and certainly has an appreciation for his dominant run-blocking profile. Latham’s experience at right tackle, where the Chargers have their biggest need on the offensive line, is a big boost as well.”

“I’m not really sure what the Chargers will prioritize with a second first-rounder, so I’m just defaulting to the classic Harbaugh trope: the trenches. The Chargers’ defensive tackle position is totally decimated, and Newton is a true three-down player with equal impact against the run and the pass. He reminds me often of Christian Wilkins with his ability to make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage with penetration and power.”

Chargers get best player available, fill holes in Chad Reuter’s latest 4-round mock draft

Breaking down the Chargers’ picks in Chad Reuter’s latest four-round mock draft.

The Chargers have a smidge bit of leeway heading into the NFL draft after addressing a few positional needs in free agency, but there are still some critical spots on the roster that need to be filled next month.

In NFL Media’s Chad Reuter’s latest four-round mock draft, he sees Los Angeles taking the best player available at a glaring position of need in the first round and building out the depth chart the rest of the way out.

In Round 1, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. falls in their lap.

The Cardinals, who have the No. 4 overall pick, trade back with the Vikings in this scenario. Minnesota takes their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy, leaving Harrison for the taking.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, the Bolts must add to the wideout room in the worst way.

Harrison is a bonafide star skill player with athleticism, speed, route-running savvy and elite ball skills. He would quickly develop close chemistry with Justin Herbert and boost the offense significantly.

In Round 2, L.A. takes defensive tackle Braden Fiske.

Fiske, the 6-foot-4 and 292-pounder, was a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine. He led all defensive tackles in the vertical (33.5″), broad jump (9’9), and 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds).

That immense athleticism shows up on the football field, as Fiske plays with good movement skills and quickness. While he possesses below-average length, Fiske is crafty with his hands and is strong at the point of attack.

The Chargers signed Poona Ford last week, but they still need to fill out the interior part of the defensive line depth chart.

In Round 3, the Chargers select cornerback DJ James.

James has a lot of experience, having spent his final two seasons at Auburn after three with Oregon. He is a great athlete with the desired coverage skills and knack for the football, as evidenced by leading the SEC in forced incompletions (15) in 2023.

With their first pick in the fourth round, Los Angeles selects running back Will Shipley.

Shipley shows the burst, decisiveness, and receiving ability to be a rotational back, which are all traits that the Bolts could use in the backfield as they look to finish building out the group.

With the additional fourth-round pick they got from the Bears in return for Keenan Allen, L.A. takes offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea.

Jim Harbaugh wants to be more physical up front to aid the running game and that means bolstering the offensive line with his guys. Laumea is an experienced player who logged 44 straight games between right tackle and right guard. He is a fleet-footed mover with a nasty streak.

Daniel Jeremiah’s new mock draft has Chargers trading out of Marvin Harrison Jr.

Daniel Jeremiah chose chaos.

Daniel Jeremiah’s self-proclaimed “chaos” mock draft left some Chargers fans asking questions after he projected the team trading out of the Marvin Harrison Jr. pick at 5.

The compensation, in particular, was a confusing aspect here. Trading up into the top five is historically expensive, yet the Chargers yielded just a 2025 second-rounder. This is partially because the Jets are low on premium draft capital if you’re trying to create a scenario where they trade up into the top five.

It’s not inconceivable that the Chargers could trade out of the fifth pick, even with Harrison Jr. on the board. They have significant roster holes, and as we saw with the Keenan Allen trade, Joe Hortiz is willing to play the long game. But any trade value chart that one could consult suggests that LA gets much more than the compensation projected in this mock.

The Chargers ended up drafting Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga at pick 10 after their trade down. Fuaga has been a name that’s been projected to the Bolts before, with his physicality as a blocker and the goal of bulking up their run blocking. Interestingly, Jeremiah has Fuaga starting at right guard in Year 1, with Trey Pipkins presumably keeping his right tackle spot. That would send one of Jamaree Salyer or Zion Johnson to the bench.

The connection between Jim Harbaugh and having trench-built teams with strong offensive lines is understandable. However, I’m not sure this offensive line needs as much uprooting as some draft analysts believe. The Chargers signed Bradley Bozeman to address arguably their biggest weakness on the line. It’s one thing to take Joe Alt or Fuaga if the reasoning is simply that Pipkins is more serviceable than elite. But again, the more chronic need right now is wide receiver, given how they’ve maneuvered.

This draft has a great wide receiver class to Jeremiah’s point. But even with the Chargers’ depth issues, it doesn’t make sense for them to trade out of selecting Harrison, Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze for this small of a package in return. With needs at linebacker, running back, tight end, cornerback and interior defensive line, I’m also not sure if it’s the best thing to need two wide receivers in the draft going into April.

Breaking down Chargers’ pick in Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft

The Chargers trade back in Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his latest mock draft on Tuesday.

Let’s break down what one of the highly touted draft analysts thinks for Los Angeles in the 2024 NFL draft after the NFL Scouting Combine.

Round 1, No. 9, OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State (via Bears)

Brugler included a few trades in this mock draft, including the Chargers, who moved back four spots with the Bears. Chicago jumped up to grab Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze. In return, Los Angeles acquired a third-round pick (No. 75 overall) and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

The Bolts selected Fuaga at No. 9 overall to take over as the team’s starting right tackle. Jim Harbaugh has a vision of running the ball, and they need road graders up front to make it come to fruition. Fuaga is a massive man with the power and plus run-blocking skills.

Joe Alt has been the commonly mocked player to the Chargers at No. 5 overall, but I believe that if they want to address the offensive line, they’re better off trading down to get a true right tackle, like Fuaga or Alabama’s JC Latham and acquiring more draft ammo.

Chargers post-2024 NFL Scouting Combine 4-round mock draft

The Chargers trade back eight spots and end up with six picks in the first four rounds.

This year’s NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, with those who performed well skyrocketing up draft boards while those who had a week to forget fade into obscurity.

Here are my four-round projections following the event.

Los Angeles Chargers three-round 2024 NFL mock draft Thursday 1.0

The Chargers select a wide receiver, cornerback and center.

The 2024 NFL draft is two months away, and we will supply you with in-depth coverage between now and then to inform you who the Chargers could be targeting when they’re on the clock.

With that being said, this will be the first installment of the three-round mock draft Thursday, where I will lay out different scenarios every week on how the first three rounds could play out for Los Angeles.

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.

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.

Chargers stack deck in Chad Reuter’s 3-round mock draft

The Los Angeles Chargers draft Brock Bowers, a cornerback and a defensive tackle.

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter released his latest three-round mock draft, where he sees the Chargers getting Justin Herbert a weapon in Round 1 and addressing the defensive side of the ball in the next two rounds.

With their first-round selection, Los Angeles selects former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Bowers has a chance to be the best player not named Caleb Williams in this draft because of his combination of reliable hands, strong running and blocking ability.

Bowers has been pegged to L.A. quite a bit and will continue to be until April’s draft rolls around. He provides the offense with a mismatch in the passing game and a serviceable run blocker. Bowers could quickly develop a solid rapport with Herbert.

In Round 2, L.A. addresses the secondary by selecting Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Rakestraw is a cornerback with great length and athleticism who possesses good speed and fluid hips, which allows him to match and stay in phase with receivers. Versus the run, he is an aggressive and willing tackler with good instincts.

With their selection in the third round, the Chargers add beef in the trenches with Miami defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III.

Taylor has the get-off and explosiveness to get in the backfield, as well as the strength and physicality to hold up against the run, but he will have to work on his pad level at the next level.