The 2024 NFL Draft is just 17 days away, and the Los Angeles Chargers hold the fifth overall pick. As we get closer to the draft, we are getting a better idea of what prospects teams are trying to target. The Chargers are in an interesting spot and could be a trade-down candidate, but here, we will discuss a different scenario.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have had an interesting offseason, to say the least. After the roster was riddled with injuries in 2023, LA finished the season at 5-12. Therefore, the Chargers have made a lot of changes to their franchise in the 2024 offseason. One big move the Chargers made was the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh comes off a national championship with Michigan and looks to bring a new culture to LA.
Heading into the offseason, the Chargers had lots of players that were due large contacts which put them in a tough spot to stay under the cap. This led to the Chargers to cut wide receiver Mike Williams and trade wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen and Williams have been the top targets for the Chargers over the past five seasons. So, in one offseason Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has lost both of his top two receivers.
2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is stacked with offensive talent. With the Los Angeles Chargers losing weapons in the offseason, it seems they will try to fill it by drafting a new wide receiver with the fifth-overall pick. Three incredible wide receivers should all go inside the top 10, led by Marvin Harrison, Jr., but three quarterbacks are projected to be top-10 picks.
Four teams pick in front of the Chargers in the first round: the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals. The top three quarterbacks and Marvin Harrison, Jr. should be the first four players drafted. This means that the Los Angeles Chargers would be missing out on a generational receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. While the Chargers could just sit and pick at number five and take the next best weapon they could also trade up.
Chargers Should Trade Up
For this scenario, let’s say that the Bears and Commanders draft their new franchise quarterbacks. Therefore, the Patriots are on the clock but don’t like the value at quarterback and want to trade down. Most likely, the Vikings would be trying to trade up for a quarterback which means the Cardinals would draft Harrison Jr.
Instead, the Chargers get on the phone and move up to number three, jumping the Cardinals to draft Harrison Jr. Moving up two spots would not cost much draft capital. The Los Angeles Chargers can get Justin Herbert his new number-one weapon in Marvin Harrison Jr.
Once again, The Chargers could just pick Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze at number five, but it would not cost much to move up to get a generational receiver. If you are looking for more about the NFL draft, follow me on X @ChaseGrimm28. If you are looking for more football content check out more from Gridiron Heroics.