Tag: Los Angeles Chargers news

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz speaks on state of wide receiver room after taking Joe Alt

The new front office doesn’t seem to be phased as much by the lack of clarity at wide receiver as much as the fanbase is.

In their joint press conference following the selection of Joe Alt, Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz were both asked about the plans for the wide receiver position.

First, they were asked why they went with a tackle despite quality receivers available on the board. Hortiz responded:

Yeah, there were. I think I’ve said it from the beginning, when we started talking about the draft, that we’re going to take the best player available for the Chargers, and that’s what we did today. That’s what we’re going to do at 37 [overall] and every other pick that we have. Obviously, he helps our team and he helps us get better. That’s what we want to do. We want to get better with every pick. That’s what we feel like we did.

Asked in a follow-up that came later in the press conference about plans to address the wide receiver position throughout the rest of the draft and offseason, Hortiz said this:

We’re going to address more than just the receivers, too, absolutely. I’ve said this before — you look at it and there are certainly more needs at different spots, but there are needs at every position. That’s why we’re living by the best player philosophy. Again, you’re never one player away and you’re never one position away. You have to improve every single position on your team at every opportunity you get. We’re going to still be working on a few of the positions. We’re not done with offensive line, either. We’re just going to try and make the team better.

Some Day 2 wide receivers who could be available at 37 include Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, and Roman Wilson, amongst others. However, with the value on the board at cornerback, defensive tackle, and interior offensive line, I’d have to wonder if the best player available mentality causes them to wait one more round for a wideout.

Harbaugh advised against “counting out” rostered wideouts like Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, Simi Fehoko, and Derius Davis. The new front office doesn’t seem to be phased as much by the lack of clarity at wide receiver as much as the fanbase is.

Jim Harbaugh sticks to guns with selection of Joe Alt: ‘Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons’

Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz sounded off on the Chargers’ selection of Joe Alt.

The Chargers drafted offensive tackle Joe Alt at No. 5 in the 2024 NFL draft.

While not a luxurious pick, it meshed with Jim Harbaugh’s desire to inject the team with a physical, rugged, and imposing brand of football through the trenches.

“Offensive linemen we look at as weapons,” Harbaugh said. “When we talk about attacking on offense… Offensive line is the tip of the spear.”

Alt played left tackle throughout his collegiate career, where Rashawn Slater has played and earned All-Pro status in 2021. Despite the addition of Alt, Slater will remain the team’s blindside blocker.

Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz did not directly say where Alt would play but did say that he would be a tackle, which could indicate that he will be the starting right tackle.

If Alt is the starting right tackle, he would overtake Trey Pipkins. Harbaugh was non-committal about Pipkins’ job status, calling him “one of our best five right now.”

“Don’t rule anything out, who’s going to play where. We’re going to play the best five that we have on the team.”

Despite being only 21 years old, Alt plays like a veteran. He is a polished and physical lineman who possesses great size/length, overall technique, and strength.

“You’re talking about a guy who’s still growing and maturing,” Hortiz said. “The upside with him is tremendous.”

Alt’s services will benefit Justin Herbert, who has been one of the most pressured quarterbacks since entering the league in 2020. He will also improve the ground game, which hasn’t been efficient for over a decade.

“He drives off the line of scrimmage,” Hortiz said about his run-blocking skills. “You watch him move players over three gaps on his down blocks. He’s very athletic. Excellent range. High-level competitor.”

Even after the addition of Alt, look for the work not to stop there.

“We’re not done with the offensive line either,” Hortiz added.

2024 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers OT Joe Alt

Get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, Joe Alt.

The Chargers bolstered the offensive line with the selection of Joe Alt at No. 5 overall.

Many wanted a wide receiver, but Jim Harbaugh stuck to his guns by adding a physically imposing player who will not only keep Justin Herbert upright but improve the ground game.

To get familiar with the newest member of the Bolts, here are some highlights of Alt:

 

 

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ selection of Joe Alt

Here is a snapshot of how the general population reacted when Joe Alt was announced as the newest member of the Chargers.

There were some talks about the Chargers moving from the No. 5 overall pick, but they ultimately decided to stay put and select offensive tackle Joe Alt.

While many fans wanted Los Angeles to take a wide receiver, the pick of Alt matches up with Jim Harbaugh’s goal of becoming a more physical and imposing team and establishing an efficient ground game.

Here is a snapshot of how the general population reacted when Alt was announced as the newest member of the Bolts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instant analysis of the Chargers’ selection of Notre Dame OT Joe Alt at No. 5 overall

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the 5th overall pick, adding offensive line help at right tackle.

Turns out that last-minute scramble over the JC Latham tea leaves was all for naught.

Los Angeles stuck with their guns on Thursday, making Notre Dame’s Joe Alt the first tackle off the board after months of speculation that they’d select him with their first round selection. Alt will flip to the right side for the Chargers, a move he’s been preparing to make in the lead-up to the draft, likely for this very scenario.

An NFL legacy – his father John played 13 seasons for the Chiefs in the 80s and 90s – Alt’s athleticism as a former quarterback and tight end will be the calling cards for easing his transition to the right side. He said at the NFL Combine that his experience at tight end especially should help him, considering he has some familiarity with putting his hand in the dirt from that side of the formation.

An agile, finesse tackle with high-end recovery ability, Alt generates push in the run game in a different way than what was perhaps expected from a Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz draft selection. But his smoothness as a pass protector will quickly plaster over any potential concerns that he’s not a true mauler in the run game. Notre Dame ran a balanced offense while Alt was there, and he was a key reason why running back Audric Estime had such a productive season in 2023.

This pick likely forces Trey Pipkins, set to count $8.75 million against the salary cap, to the bench. Pipkins’ contract does not allow for cap savings in a trade until after June 1. Despite having two seasons left on his deal, the Chargers could also easily escape the contract following the 2024 season, saving $6.75 million against the 2025 cap if they were to release Pipkins.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick OT Joe Alt with No. 5 overall selection

The Chargers bolstered the offensive line with the selection of Joe Alt.

The Chargers selected former Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Jim Harbaugh talked about instilling a physical and rugged identity into the team and improving the run game, so his first pick as Los Angeles’ head coach was beefing up the offensive line with Alt.

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.

Despite playing left tackle throughout his college career, Alt projects to take over Trey Pipkins as the Bolts’ starting right tackle.

Chargers announce guest pick announcer for Day 2 of 2024 NFL draft

A former Chargers player will announce the team’s Day 2 selections.

Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft has become a chance for the league to showcase its past, present, and future, with a number of former and active players tapped from each team to present a draft pick on stage.

On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed the full list of guest announcers, which includes Saints TE/QB Taysom Hill and legendary Lions running back Barry Sanders.

For LA, both #37 and #69 overall are slated to be announced by Chargers Hall of Famer Rolf Benirschke, a kicker who played ten seasons for the team in San Diego.

Benirschke, a San Diego native who attended La Jolla High School, was a 12th-round pick by the Raiders in 1977 before being traded to the Chargers midway through his rookie season. In 1978, he discovered that he had ulcerative colitis, which prevented him from playing for two seasons while he had two surgeries to remove his large intestine.

In 1980, Benirschke returned to the Chargers, playing seven more seasons and ending his career as the team leader in points scored with 766. To date, Benirschke is fourth all-time in points scored for the franchise.

After his playing days concluded, Benirschke spent six months as the host of Wheel of Fortune in 1989 and is now active in charity work in the San Diego area. In 1997, he was named the 12th member of the Chargers Hall of Fame.

What time will the Chargers make their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft?

Here is the estimated time for the Chargers’ first-round draft pick.

The NFL draft kicks off today, and we will see which player the Chargers select to improve their roster.

If you don’t want to sit around and watch most of the draft and would rather tune in just when Los Angeles is on the clock, here is our best approximation of when that will be.

Our best guess is you’ll want to tune in at 5:40 pm PT.

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We’re basing our guess on last year’s draft. In 2023, the Seahawks selected cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the No. 5 overall selection at 5:49 pm PT.

Things went a little faster in 2022, with the Giants selecting edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux at 5:41 pm PT.

The fifth pick in the 2021 NFL draft was at 5:57 pm PT.

The fifth pick was at 5:55 pm PT the year before that.

The bottom line is to play it safe. 5:40 pm PT is when you should tune in. That’s when you can find out if the Chargers stick and pick or trade down.

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.”

NFL draft rumor: Chargers ‘will do what it takes’ to select Blake Corum

The Chargers could have their eyes set on the productive running back from Michigan.

There are a handful of Jim Harbaugh’s former Michigan players who could appeal to him when the Chargers are on the clock, but he could have his eyes set on one specific player.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, it is believed that Harbaugh is expected to target running back Blake Corum.

“No running backs are expected to go in the first round, and there’s a great variety of opinion on which one will be the first back selected this year,” Graziano said.

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“… I’ve spoken to scouts from multiple teams who think Michigan’s Blake Corum might be the best of the bunch and believe Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers will do what it takes to make sure he’s reunited with his college coach.”

Corum was productive for the Wolverines this past season, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns en route to the school’s national title. He finished his collegiate career with 58 rushing scores.

Corum isn’t the youngest player, set to be 24 this upcoming season and already has plenty of mileage used. But he has the patience, vision, and quickness to be an effective back in the NFL.

Los Angeles signed Gus Edwards and recently, JK Dobbins. But as they look to run the ball at a high level under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Chargers might feel that Corum is the final piece to the puzzle.