2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts are projecting Chargers to pick

Who could the Chargers look to add to the roster in the first round next year?

The Chargers own the No. 5 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Now that we know where Los Angeles will be picking, let’s take a look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah — WR Rome Odunze, Washington

Odunze is my favorite player in the draft. He’s a complete receiver. The Chargers have salary-cap decisions to make with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. This would be a home run addition for Justin Herbert.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“I think Nabers is every bit of an elite WR prospect as Harrison. Seriously. Once he learns the entire route tree, he’ll be a star at the next level. Explosive athlete with plus hands.”

Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings — OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

“You don’t always see the Chargers picking tackles early in 2024 NFL Mock Drafts, but Justin Herbert got injured in 2023, and right tackle Trey Pipkins leaves much to be desired. With Joe Alt‘s rare recovery athleticism, flexibility, length, and leverage acquisition skills, Herbert’s right side would be secure — and the run game would get a boost, too.”

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“Mike Williams is 29 years old coming off a season in which he was limited to three games. His salary cap hit for the 2024 campaign is north of $32 million. If Los Angeles, which has $-44 million in salary cap space when the new league year rolls over, moves on from him, it would save $20 million. The addition of Bowers, a California native, absorbs some of that loss.”

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

College Wire staff — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

The Chargers are looking for a new head coach, which could switch up their draft process. However, I still believe they can’t pass on the opportunity to get quarterback Justin Herbert some help out wide. Nabers can be a big-play threat for the Bolts.

The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer — EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

“The Chargers need to be concerned that Khalil Mack will be 33 in February and Joey Bosa, who’s 28, simply cannot stay healthy to provide the needed impact. Going for Turner as a developing cornerstone makes sense as he has lot of former teammate Will Anderson Jr.’s game in him.”

The Draft Network’s Brentley Weissman — WR Rome Odunze, Washington

“As someone who watches an unhealthy amount of Pac-12 football, I am incredibly high on Rome Odunze. As a matter of fact, Odunze is graded as my third overall player in the class. He has it all: Smooth, sudden, explosive and physical. He would give the Chargers an elite No. 1 option as Keenan Allen ages.”

2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts are projecting Chargers to pick

Who could the Chargers look to add to the roster in the first round next year?

The Chargers own the No. 5 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Now that we know where Los Angeles will be picking, let’s take a look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“The Chargers are definitely a team that could look to trade back and stock up on picks to fill roster holes with younger talent. But if they stick at No. 5, they should go with a wide receiver for the second consecutive year (Quentin Johnston in 2023). Nabers is an explosive target who would be an immediate upgrade for the team’s offense. He’s a natural tackle-breaker, finishing sixth in the FBS in forced missed tackles on catches (27). Nabers also led the FBS in receiving yards per game (120.7). He is a big play waiting to happen and the exact type of receiver Los Angeles needs, especially with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams getting older and struggling to stay on the field.”

NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“With a new regime taking over soon, wide receiver is still in play even after the previous group took Quentin Johnston in the first round of last year’s draft.

Nabers is a different tier of prospect, with explosive acceleration that can beat you before and after the catch. In any normal draft class, he’s the top wide receiver.”

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“Los Angeles is entering an offseason of change that began with the firing of head coach Brandon Staley. There will likely be changes to the receiver room and Brock Bowers helps minimize the impact felt in the passing game.”

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“On paper, the Chargers have one of the more impressive wide receiver groups in the league. But Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both aging players who have struggled with injuries, and also happen to carry two of the biggest cap numbers at their position for next season. Nabers is a big-play machine who would pair well with 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston.”

Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“The Chargers must get some weapons for Justin Herbert and Malik Nabers is an elite weapon in this draft.”

Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

“A strong candidate to trade down and secure more picks, the Chargers offensive line was woeful in 2023, partially because center Corey Linsley’s heart issue will likely push him to retirement. Put Fashanu to RT and make Trey Pipkins your swing tackle.”

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“Keenan Allen and Mike Williams could be on shaky ground for a franchise with a rough short-term financial outlook. No matter what the team decides regarding the veteran pass catchers, the receiving corps needs to become more dynamic for the Chargers to properly take advantage of Justin Herbert’s talent. Nabers, who can stress defenses both as a deep threat and in racking up yards after the catch, can certainly help in that department.”

2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts are projecting Chargers to pick ahead of Week 18

Who could the Chargers look to add to the roster in the first round next year?

The Chargers are currently projected to hold the No. 6 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft with one week left in the regular season.

Sitting at 5-11, all the attention has been shifted to the general manager and head coaching vacancies and what the team could do to bolster the roster.

With that being said, let’s take a look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round ahead of Week 18.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso — DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

“Newton is a disruptive force at defensive tackle, clearly the best penetrator at the position in the class.”

Bleacher Nation’s Matt Rooney — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“There are a lot of different directions the Chargers could go at six, they have a lot of needs to fill and likely will have a lot more by draft time since they’ll have to shed a bunch of salary in the offseason. They need a sure-fire win with this pick. Brock Bowers is as close to that as anyone in this draft. He can be Justin Herbert’s top target, a reliable tight end can be a quarterback’s best friend. Bowers is a hugely helpful pick for Herbert and an offense that will have some new leadership.”

With The First Pick’s Chris McGlynn — OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

“The board falls nicely for the Chargers here, giving them their pick of the top offensive tackle prospects. Justin Herbert dealt with injuries all season long. Los Angeles needs to invest in protecting him. This comes down to preference, but given that the Chargers are already set at left tackle with Rashawn Slater, I think Alt would be the better fit at right tackle. He has a massive frame, excels at run blocking and has elite length to stymie pass rushers. Whoever is running this front office should make beefing up the offensive line a priority.”

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

“This defense needs plenty of help, but it might be difficult for the Chargers to pass on the elite pass-catching talent still on the board here. Quentin Johnston has shown flashes as a rookie, but Justin Herbert needs more with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both aging and carrying massive cap numbers. Nabers is smooth and explosive, with big-play ability after the catch.”

33rd Team’s Connor Livesay — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

The Los Angeles Chargers are a bad football team. Needing help on offense and defense, the Chargers must do the right thing and take the best player available when they get on the clock. While tight end is one of the least valuable positions in the NFL, Brock Bowers’ impact on offense will be felt in more ways than one.

Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey — OT JC Latham, Alabama

Tankathon — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts are projecting Chargers to pick ahead of Week 17

Who could the Chargers look to add to the roster in the first round next year?

The Chargers are currently projected to hold the No. 6 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft with two weeks left in the season.

Sitting at 5-10, most of the attention has been shifted to the general manager and head coaching vacancies and what the team could do to bolster the roster.

With that being said, let’s take a look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round ahead of Week 17.

Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

“Either way, the Chargers’ defense definitely needs help at all three levels. But with this being such an offensive-heavy draft, at least at the top of the first round, keeping the franchise quarterback upright and healthy takes precedence over reaching for a need.”

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“Los Angeles continues stocking the offensive skill talent with the addition of Brock Bowers. Quentin Johnston could not be relied upon as a rookie and Mike Williams is coming back off an injury.”

Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan — EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

“This is a tough call as we don’t know what type of defensive scheme the Chargers will run going forward until they hire a new head coach. However, it’s obvious that they are in need of pass-rushing help for the future. Jared Verse, who is one of the top edge rushers available is the call here.”

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“This is an odd spot for the Chargers, who have tons of needs on defense, and will be welcoming a new coaching staff. The simple solution is always to take the best player on the board, and that’s Bowers, who would fill arguably the team’s most pressing need on offense. Justin Herbert would take full advantage of his dynamic playmaker.”

33rd Team’s Connor Livesay  — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“The 2024 Los Angeles Chargers’ roster will look a lot different than the 2023 Chargers’ roster. With a ton of cap casualties and a new coaching staff, it’s tough to predict which way the Chargers will go with their first-round pick.

One thing is for sure, they need new, young talent. TE Brock Bowers is a versatile offensive weapon who can make an immediate impact for Justin Herbert and Los Angeles’ offense.”

Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“When you have a quarterback as good as Justin Herbert, he needs guys he can trust to catch the football and no tight end does it better than Brock Bowers.”

2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts are projecting Chargers to pick ahead of Week 16

Who could the Chargers look to add to the roster in the first round next year?

The Chargers are currently projected to hold the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft with three weeks left in the season.

Sitting at 5-9, most of the attention has been shifted to the general manager and head coaching vacancies and what the team could do to bolster the roster.

With that being said, let’s take a look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round ahead of Week 16.

The 33rd Team’s Connor Livesay — WR Rome Odunze, Washington

“The Los Angeles Chargers will have to make some tough decisions this offseason. Currently sitting way over the salary cap, the Chargers will have to look into moving on from one of, or possibly both, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston has been a significant disappointment so far this season, and relying on him in 2024 would be bad for whoever takes over in Los Angeles.”

Pro Football Network’s A.J. Schulte — WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Yeah, the Chargers have Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and spent a first-round pick on Quentin Johnston last year. Should that change the math here? Not. One. Bit.

Malik Nabers is one of the most explosive receivers to hit the draft in recent years and simply glides across the field. He adds a totally different element to that offense that Justin Herbert really needs.

NFL Mock’s Hunter Haas — OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State

“The Chargers could go several ways at No. 8 overall, but in today’s mock draft, they choose insurance for Justin Herbert. Taliese Fuaga is a better option at right tackle than Trey Pipkins and will give L.A. building block bookends at offensive tackle.”

Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

“Bowers is one of the best players in this draft and will immediately become a favorite target of Justin Herbert.”

Bleav’s Jon DeLeone — CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

“As the Chargers transition to a new era, they need to look to get younger on the defensive side of the football. With so much being invested in building around Justin Herbert, the defense, and particularly the secondary has been neglected. Nate Wiggins is a long and fluid corner who will capably be able to slow down the talented receivers in the AFC West.

The Draft Countdown’s Travis May — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Draft Kings Network’s Nick Simon — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling — DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Week 6 Scouting Notebook: A look at potential Chargers prospects in 2024 NFL draft

Here are a handful of prospects for Chargers fans to watch in Week 6.

The sixth week of college football is here, which means we are back with another edition of the Scouting Notebook.

The Scouting Notebook will feature prospects to keep an eye on throughout the day. While some may think it’s too early to start talking about the 2024 NFL draft, there’s never a bad time to talk about the future of the Chargers.

With that being said, here are a handful of prospects to watch for in Week 6.