If there is one team that is going to have a vastly different make up in the 2024 season than it did last year, it is going to be the Los Angeles Chargers. New head coach Jim Harbaugh’s signature is to put his own imprint on any team he coaches as soon as he takes that job. He did it when he was a college coach at Stanford. He made the San Francisco 49ers a dramatically different team when he took his first NFL head coaching job. He did the same thing when he became the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines.
Harbaugh has had success at every coaching stop he has made. After the Chargers fell apart last year and finished in last place in the AFC West under former head coach Brandon Staley, it should not be difficult for him to help make the Chargers a better team with a new look. It may not happen overnight and the Chargers may need at least one season to become a playoff team, but it seems likely that they will be tougher and play harder this season than they did a year ago.
Chargers make offseason upgrades
The Chargers believe they have added talent in the offseason. They have signed free agent tight end Hayden Hurst (Carolina Panthers), running back Gus Edwards (Baltimore Ravens) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (Houston Texans). While none of these players are superstars, all are solid NFL veterans who should be productive and help the team improve.
Los Angeles also appears to have upgraded through the draft. They selected star offensive tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame with the fifth pick in the first round. Alt allowed just 13 quarterback pressures in over 700 pass-blocking snaps during the last two seasons with the Fighting Irish. The Chargers selected wide receiver Ladd McConkey from Georgia with their second-round selection.
It’s also no surprise that Harbaugh and the Chargers drafted two of his former Michigan players from the team that won the national championship. They selected linebacker Junior Colson in the third round and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson was selected in the seventh round.
In addition to the free agents and the draft choices, the Chargers have dipped into the undrafted rookie free agent market. The Chargers have selected 20 rookies who were not drafted to show what they can do and possibly win a spot on the team. One of those free agents that will have one of the best opportunities to make the team is wide receiver Leon Johnson III of Oklahoma State.
Chargers need help at the WR position
After watching veteran Keenan Allen leave through free agency — he signed with the Chicago Bears — it’s clear that quarterback Justin Herbert needs help at the WR position. Drafting McConkey, Cornelius Johnson and Brenden Rice (Jerry Rice’s son) could help, but rookie free agent Leon Johnson III has some special characteristics.
Leon Johnson has the kind of size that should give him an advantage over nearly all defensive backs. He is 6-4 and 210 pounds, and he has a 6-8 wingspan. Throw in a solid vertical leap of 35 inches, and the Chargers may have a true surprise weapon on their hands.
Leon Johnson transferred to Oklahoma State from a Division III program, and he played just one season with the Cowboys. He was planning to redshirt last season, but Oklahoma State injuries at the wide receiver position changed those plans. He played in 10 games and caught 33 passes for 539 yards and 1 touchdown.
Johnson took a huge step up last season and made a key contribution for a high-powered offensive program. If he continues to improve in offseason activities and training camp, he will make the team and contribute to Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers.
There are other rookie free agents who could make a contribution, including safety Thomas Harper of Notre Dame, guard Kasen Barnhart of Michigan, tight end Luke Benson of Georgia Tech, edge rusher Savion Jackson of North Carolina State and linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste of Ole Miss. However, Leon Johnson III appears to be in an outstanding impression to make an impression on the Los Angeles coaching staff.
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