With the 2024 NFL Draft quickly approaching, NFL franchises are putting the finishing touches on their player scouting and interview processes. After the dust has settled from the free agency frenzy, teams are now looking to round out their rosters by attacking their remaining needs in the draft. One of the most intriguing franchises in this year’s draft is the Los Angeles Chargers, who own the fifth overall pick. Below, we will go over the top Chargers draft targets at No. 5 overall.
With a new general manager in former Baltimore Ravens scout Joe Hortiz and the highly regarded hiring of new head coach Jim Harbaugh, this team has already made a splash in hopes of ushering in a new era of Chargers football. The first draft of this new regime will be a big one, with many holes to fill. While you can’t win the NFL Draft in the first round, what the Chargers decide to do at No. 5 will alter the landscape and set the tone for the rebuild in Los Angeles.
While the fifth pick has been rumored to be the possible landing spot for a quarterback-needy team, such as the Vikings, Broncos or Raiders, to move up to in a trade, let’s live in a world where they keep their pick. Let’s also assume the Arizona Cardinals stay put and select wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State fourth overall. Below, we will explore three possible LA Chargers draft targets at fifth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
3 Los Angeles Chargers Draft Targets at No. 5 | 2024 NFL Draft
WRs: Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze
Yes, they’ve got the franchise quarterback, but Justin Herbert doesn’t have much to work with as far as pass catchers and offensive weapons. They traded away his favorite target in Keenan Allen and cut Mike Williams. Starting tight end Gerald Everett also left in free agency, while Austin Ekeler, the shifty running back and security blanket out of the backfield, signed with the Washington Commanders. The Chargers did bring in former Ravens running backs Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins to reunite them with new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, but this offense is devoid of explosive playmakers, with their top two receivers being Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston.
Palmer is a good player but is more of a depth piece who has been forced into expanded roles because of injuries to his teammates the last two seasons. Johnston, a first-round pick last year, had an uninspiring rookie season where he showcased the flaws we talked about too often. This team can’t wait on that, and needs immediate contributions from an alpha pass-catcher. While I considered star Georgia tight end Brock Bowers here as a versatile receiving weapon and high-ceiling replacement for the departed Everett, the team looks to be content at tight end after bringing in Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst in free agency to pair with Donald Parham.
Insert Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. Either of these elite prospects could fill the massive void at wideout and give the Chargers way more upside and consistency than what Johnston gave them last year. Herbert needs a clear-cut WR1, and both of these players’ traits should translate to make an instant impact at the NFL level. The consensus is that there’s a big three at the receiver position in this year’s draft, with Harrison regarded as the favorite, but Nabers and Odunze aren’t far behind. There is a drop-off after this top tier, however, so it would behoove the Chargers to swoop one of these guys at the top if they want a bonafide star, even though the position is deep with talent in this draft.
Nabers is getting a little more hype as a polished route runner who creates instant separation and also possesses explosive speed and run-after-the-catch ability. He forced 27 missed tackles this past season at LSU and played a huge part in the numbers his quarterback and fellow prospect Jayden Daniels put up on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. Odunze is a strong, big-bodied wideout with a 6-3 frame who excels in contested-catch situations and 50/50 red-zone balls. He’s being compared to Terrell Owens, Davante Adams and Mike Evans in regard to his jump-ball skills. He had a remarkable season and was instrumental in helping Washington make the national championship game this year, where Harbaugh got a good look at him from the opposing sideline.
With both players pretty evenly ranked, it’s a win-win for the Chargers to have their pick of the two, and they can’t go wrong either way. Simply put, if the Chargers can’t land Harrison, they’d still be thrilled with either of these two as the obvious consolation prizes.
Offensive Tackle: Joe Alt
The hardest decision for the Chargers, in my opinion, will be weighing the upside of the electric receivers in Nabers and Odunze versus the 6-8, 322-pound tackle out of Notre Dame. Joe Alt, a converted tight end, is an absolute mauler and might just steal Harbaugh’s heart and make it too difficult for the new regime to pass him up. Harbaugh loves the big boys in the trenches, and everyone knows his propensity to run the ball everywhere he’s been, from his previous NFL stop in San Francisco to the smash-mouth run game he built at Michigan that led them to a national championship this past season. Harbaugh wants to run the ball, and he could be looking at a foundational piece for the next 10-12 years if he grabs Alt with the fifth overall pick. This would undoubtedly be a fantastic pick for the future of this franchise.
The only question here is if Joe Alt would be willing to move to right tackle, as that’s where part of this offensive line’s weakness is. Current starter Trey Pipkins just isn’t the answer long-term after allowing nine sacks last year, which tied for fourth-highest amongst all tackles. He also allowed the highest pressure rate of all Chargers offensive linemen last season. He appears to be more of a depth tackle than a true starter. With former first-round pick Rashawn Slater playing well at the starting left tackle, this is definitely something the Chargers’ brass have thought about. If the Chargers select Alt, I think Slater could make the move to right tackle while Alt would continue to play to his strengths on the left side where he would dominate defenders en route to developing Harbaugh’s power run game and protect Herbert’s blind side more than capably.
I like Alt in this spot, and he has to be near the top of the team’s draft board. They could use a center to help shore up the line as well, but they can address that position later on instead of reaching way too early for one here. Alt is by far the best tackle in this draft class, with a substantial gap between him and the next best prospects. It’s not as flashy as taking one of the stud receivers, but it’s about as safe of a pick there is. Maybe they shouldn’t overthink it, as they could take Alt with their first pick and still get starting-caliber wideouts in rounds two and three.
What Will the Chargers’ Draft Pick At No. 5 Be?
Decisions, decisions. The Los Angeles Chargers have many of them to make, and they won’t be easy. This team has holes all over the place. Whatever the Chargers’ draft decision at No. 5 is, there is solace in the fact that choosing any of these players would instantly make the Chargers a better football team. With the new direction under Harbaugh, an injection of young talent would have a lasting impact on upgrading this roster as it embarks on a long rebuild effort. Even with their work cut out for them in La-La Land, expectations will still be high for the Los Angeles Chargers under this new regime. With eager eyes on their first-round selection at the NFL Draft on April 25th, it’s time to “Bolt Up” or shut up.
