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Despite having a very talented roster, the Chargers underperformed, going 5-12 last season. There were a number of issues with the Chargers 2023 season, but all the injuries definitely didn’t help. Mike Williams only played two full games, Justin Herbert missed four games, and Austin Ekeler missed three games as well.
That said, the Chargers may have won the coaching carousel by landing Jim Harbaugh this off-season. In order to draw Harbaugh away from Michigan, the Chargers offered him a five-year 80 million-dollar deal. After dealing with poor coaching for years, Herbert and the rest of this Chargers roster should reach their full potential in 2024. Below, I break down what the Chargers need to do in the 2024 NFL draft to become real contenders.
First-Round Pick: 5th Overall
The pick: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU
Although the Chargers have two talented receivers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, both have expiring contracts in 2025. The Chargers have a potential out in 2024 with both Allen and Williams, who will be owed a combined 67.2 million dollars. Allen is already 31 years old, and Williams is 29, so it’s highly likely that at least one will get cut in the off-season.
Getting Malik Nabers at pick five is the best pick the Chargers could make to finally give Justin Herbert a long-term weapon. I’m not ready to give up on Quentin Johnston, but it’s clear he won’t be a dominant WR1. Nabers would be the WR1 in almost any other class, considering he was the best 2024 receiver in PFF receiving grade (93.1), yards per route run (3.64), and yards per team pass attempt (3.82). The Chargers need to give Herbert some help, and Nabers is the perfect solution.
People are going to say Marvin Harrison Jr. is generational… but Malik Nabers:
Malik Nabers in 2023
1,569 Receiving Yards (#2)
- #1 in the SEC
89 Catches
- #1 in the SEC
14 Receiving TDs (#3)
- #2 in the SEC
17.6 YPR
9 100+ Yard games
- lead in YAC(yards after catch)
- had… pic.twitter.com/9p5JX2731h
Second-Round Pick: 37th Overall
The pick: Zach Frazier, Center, West Virginia
Going back to building around Justin Herbert, the Chargers desperately need a center. At age 32, Corey Lindsley is not the answer, and the Chargers need a replacement. The ideal pick would have been Jackson Powers-Johnson, but in this mock draft, he went 25th overall.
Zach Frazier is a good center, and at pick 37, he’s one of the best players available. Frazier actually had his worst PFF grade in 2023 (74.5), but he had an 80.8 and 77.5 grade in 2022 and 2021. Frazier thrives as a pass blocker due to his excellent patience and balance which will help out Herbert a ton.
West Virginia center Zach Frazier is a 4x state wrestling champ. You can see it in his play. Outstanding leverage player. pic.twitter.com/LaWg5judnE
Third-Round Pick: 69th Overall
The pick: Junior Colson, Linebacker, Michigan
The Chargers have two great pass rushers in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, but they still lack at the linebacker position. Kenneth Murray Jr, in particular, needs to be replaced after his rough 2023 season. PFF agrees with this statement as well, giving Murray a 52.9 grade (75/82 Rank).
Junior Colson broke out as a sophomore, recording 101 tackles, and in 2023, he helped Michigan bring home a national championship. Colson is a fantastic coverage linebacker (83.4 PFF Grade), but he’s also great in the run game (80 PFF Grade). Colson is a very good all-around linebacker who will help the Chargers defense a ton in 2024.
This season, I want to see more Junior Colson using whole guys to tackle opposing quarterbacks ?
pic.twitter.com/C4DQ5SlNx2
2024 Los Angeles Chargers 3 Round NFL Mock Draft
2024 Simulated 1st Round NFL Mock Draft
