Yahoo Sports 2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Los Angeles Chargers have a myriad of options at No. 5
And with the fifth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers...do literally anything their heart desires.
Coming into the 2024 offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers already had a lot of holes to fill if they wanted to be competitive next year. Posting the fifth-worst record in the league is clear evidence that something isn't working. So, the Chargers let go of their two best receivers -- Mike Williams and Keenan Allen -- their top running back Austin Ekeler, and linebacker Eric Kendricks. The team didn't do much to replace them, signing LB Denzel Perryman and RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in their steads. Quarterback Justin Herbert still has no one to throw to, the team's star defensive players are getting older, and even their backfield is injury prone.
New head coach Jim Harbaugh better have a bulletproof game plan for the draft, because holy smokes, this team has a lot of problems. Lucky for them, there are numerous different ways the team can go with the fifth overall pick. They could draft a receiver to give Herbert a solid weapon on the outside. They could draft Joe Alt, this draft class' top offensive lineman. Paired with Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley, Justin Herbert should be very well-protected. They could even opt for tight end Brock Bowers to give Herbert more of a security blanket underneath. Of course, they could also trade their pick away.
With so many teams interested in drafting a quarterback, perhaps the Chargers could trade the No. 5 pick to a team like Minnesota or Las Vegas who need a quarterback dreadfully. If the Chargers are planning a rebuild, then adding more picks in the future will be a tremendous step in the right direction. Who knows what will actually happen though?
Here is what experts are saying the Chargers could do at No. 5 tonight.
2024 NFL Draft preview: What is the hit rate on positions selected in first round?
Predictions for Chargers at No. 5 overall:
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Trade with MIN, draft JC Latham, OT, Alabama at 11
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes, "If the Bolts are inclined to build up front rather than take one of the top three receivers, trading back in the first round would be the right move. Latham should be plenty alluring in this scenario, as Jim Harbaugh – who chased the right tackle hard on the recruiting trail at Michigan – might be enamored with his overpowering strength."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Prisco writes, "I put him here because Jim Harbaugh loves offensive linemen and I think he's a better fit for what they want to do than Joe Alt, who is a left tackle. Latham is also a better run blocker, which is what Harbaugh loves to do."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Jeremiah writes, "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."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Iyer writes, "Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman cleared top wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for cap and schematic purposes in creating a new offense around Justin Herbert. They did get some backup-level options in free agency, but Bowers can be the new Mark Andrews for Roman as Herbert's new go-to guy."
Mel Kiper, ESPN: Trade with Minnesota Vikings
Kiper believes the Los Angeles Chargers will trade the fifth overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings, who will then use that pick to select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. Considering the rumors connecting the Chargers and Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham, a trade down to 11 would make sense for both the Chargers and Vikings.
Latham is not expected to go inside the top-ten. Trading down to grab him would not only benefit the Chargers who get their guy and more picks in the future, but it gives Minnesota the opportunity to snag McCarthy before a team like the New York Giants, who could very well be interested in replacing Daniel Jones.
Who are the Chargers expected to draft?
Per BetMGM, the best odds to be the fifth overall pick lie with Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham at (+200). Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the Chargers will be picking at No. 5. They could always trade that pick away, and oddsmakers know that, considering Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy currently hast the second-best odds at (+275).
If the Chargers are really interested in Latham, trading down is probably their best option as BetMGM lists the over/under for Latham being drafted at pick No. 10.5, and much of that likely has to do with the Chargers interest in him at No. 5. If the Chargers do not select him at 5, it is very likely that Latham will not be selected in the top-10, as no other teams in that range have been linked to him.
How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft:
When: April 25-27, 2024
Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
Time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN; ABC; NFL Network
Stream the draft: Watch the 2024 NFL Draft with a Fubo subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chargers mock drafts: What will Los Angeles do at No. 5?