2024 NFL Draft: Is WR Or OT More Likely For Chargers?

The Los Angeles Chargers are currently sitting in a fascinating spot. They will be entering Justin Herbert‘s fifth career season. Los Angeles moved on from some long-tenured veterans this offseason. Of course, there is a completely new regime with head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. And in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers could easily go a few different ways, including selecting an offensive tackle or a wide receiver. Are they also a possible trade up spot for a team looking to move up for a quarterback?

When it comes to the first round of April’s draft, the Chargers are considered to be a major piece of a possible domino effect. Sitting at five overall, their decision will surely impact teams in the back half of the top ten. The same could also be said about teams just outside of the top ten, to boot. If the Chargers stick at five and select either an offensive tackle or a wide receiver, they could easily snipe someone else’s preferred prospect. Overall, Los Angeles has the chance to take a real star at either position. In some ways, the draft may truly start with this fifth selection, given the quarterback selections expected at the top.

Why does selecting an offensive tackle make sense for the Chargers in the first round? Additionally, why does selecting a wide receiver make sense for Los Angeles in the first round? Let’s kick it off.

Why An Offensive Tackle Makes Sense For Chargers

For the Chargers offense currently, Rashawn Slater and Trey Pipkins are projected to be starting offensive tackles. Slater missed some time here and there with injuries. But largely, he has been the more dominant Los Angeles blocker over the last few years. Pipkins is not someone who can be consistently counted on over on the right side as often. And the depth for that spot is lacking greatly. As a result, the Chargers could certainly improve at right tackle entering 2024.

You also have to consider the nature of teams coached by Jim Harbaugh. Whether it was at Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers, or at Michigan, Harbaugh’s teams have always been built on physicality, toughness and getting in your face. The run game and the offensive line are major components of his teams. Even when opponents know it is coming, Harbaugh’s teams are still able to run the ball down the opposition’s throat.

This is considered a deep offensive tackle class at the top. Any of Joe Alt (Notre Dame), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), Troy Fautanu (Washington) or Olu Fashanu (Penn State) could make sense for a Harbaugh offense. If the Chargers stick at five and take one of the offensive tackles, they will probably have the first choice of the entire group. Alt would not be surprising as the first OT name off the board, possibly heading to Los Angeles.

Why A Wide Receiver Makes Sense For Chargers

Like offensive tackle, wide receiver offers very little, in terms of current depth for the Chargers offense. Los Angeles released Mike Williams in a salary cap savings move. On top of that, they traded another veteran wide receiver, Keenan Allen, to the Chicago Bears. In the end, Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, Derius Davis and Simi Fehoko are left as the only wide receivers currently on the Chargers roster. Johnston struggled last year as a rookie. Palmer has been solid, but has battled injuries and is not a WR1. Meanwhile, Davis is more of a returner and Fehoko is basically unproven.

With Herbert as your signal caller, it would be surprising to see them not add a wide receiver by at least the end of day two in the draft. But if the Chargers stick at five and go wide receiver, they could easily be getting an elite option right away. Any of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze would be considered the best wide receiver in the class in separate drafts. It just so happens to be that they are all lumped into one class this year. The physical side of the Harbaugh offense must be considered. However, getting a chance to add one of those top three wide receivers may be too much to pass up if you are the Los Angeles Chargers. That is especially true, when you consider the state of the AFC West.

New Regime May Be Open To Entertaining Anything

Even if the Chargers still take a wide receiver or an offensive tackle in round one, a trade down should not be ruled out. Los Angeles is not necessarily lacking in 2024 draft capital. They have a top-five selection in each of the first three rounds and five total picks scheduled in the top 110 selections. But with a new regime, may come a significant overhaul. That is something that personnel changes have obviously taught us at the NFL level. New leaders are not afraid to completely turn a roster upside down right away. Yet, this is Harbaugh we are talking about. If there is anyone who does not mind taking on a major set of personnel turnover, it is him.

If a team is looking to move up for a quarterback, the Chargers are a trade-down candidate. Easily, another team may want to move up to select any of those aforementioned offensive tackles or wide receivers. LA may want to address those spots. Though, the depth of those position groups could still give the Chargers a key opportunity in the first round at offensive tackle or wide receiver, even with moving down. This team needs to get as young as possible and has very few position groups that are complete. Trading down, while still adding a wide receiver or an offensive tackle, would not be shocking to see from the Los Angeles Chargers.