Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The 2023 NFL season is officially over. It is draft season! The Los Angeles Chargers hit the jackpot with Justin Herbert. Finding a franchise quarterback is one of the most difficult things to do in the NFL. Every decision after that has been terrible. Brandon Staley lost the team, and Jim Harbaugh was hired from Michigan. They have some salary cap decisions to make. This draft becomes essential to getting young talent in the building. Here is the Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Draft guide.
Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Los Angeles Chargers have eight picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Round 1: No. 5 overall
- Round 2: No. 37 overall
- Round 3: No. 69 overall
- Round 4: No. 105 overall
- Round 5: No. 138 overall
- Round 6: No. 182 overall
- Round 7: No. 222 overall
- Round 7: No. 255 overall
The Los Angeles Chargers have made many free-agent decisions that are questionable. However, they don’t involve themselves in a lot of trades, opting to stay put in the draft rather than move around. Because of this, they have all of their picks plus one compensatory selection. One thing to watch for this team is if they trade out of the fifth spot. If a team offers them a treasure trove of picks, they could move back to gain more capital.
Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft Needs
The Los Angeles Chargers need the following positions: TE, WR, CB, OT, DL
The Los Angeles Chargers need weapons for Justin Herbert. Keenan Allen isn’t getting any younger, and Mike Williams is coming off another major injury. Last year’s first-round pick, Quinton Johnston, struggled mightily and might be a bust. They need some young and cheap talent for Herbert.
Defensively, they may be due for a complete reset. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are potential cap casualties. JC Jackson was already let go. New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter needs some young talent to try and disrupt the quarterbacks in the AFC, including Patrick Mahomes, who they see twice a year.
Mock Draft
Mock drafts are done on NFL Mock Draft Database. No trades were executed. Obviously, teams tend to wheel and deal, but this is meant to give a look at what the team can do with the draft capital they currently have.
Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft
- Round 1: No. 5 overall Joe Alt OT Notre Dame
- Round 2: No. 37 overall Ladd McConkey WR Georgia
- Round 3: No. 69 overall Ja’Tavion Sanders TE Texas
- Round 4: No. 105 overall Josh Newton CB TCU
- Round 5: No. 138 overall Will Shipley RB Clemson
- Round 6: No. 182 overall Javon Solomon EDGE Troy
- Round 7: No. 222 overall Trevor Keegan IOL Michigan
- Round 7: No. 255 overall Eric Watts EDGE UConn
Mock Draft Analysis
In mock drafts, I tend to try to improve one side of the ball. Justin Herbert is the best part of this team. The Los Angeles Chargers should try to enhance Herbert’s skills as much as possible. While Brock Bowers would be great for this team, the smart move is to protect their $200 million quarterback. Getting Sanders out of Texas in the third round is great value. McConkey, out of Georgia, is another solid pass-catcher, making a projected lineup rather scary.
My favorite pick is Will Shipley. He does a lot of what Austin Ekeler does, and the Los Angeles Chargers are looking to replace him. I also wouldn’t be surprised if this team becomes “Michigan Wolverines West.” There are a ton of Wolverines in this year’s draft, so don’t be surprised if Harbaugh and Minter push the front office to bring in their guys.
The Los Angeles Chargers hope 2024 is much different than 2023. Having the Chiefs in your division isn’t great, but this team has the talent to beat them. Can they finally get back to the postseason in 2024?
