The top-three selections in next month’s draft are likely to remain in place (Bears, Commanders, Patriots). Significant movement after that could occur, though.
Shortly after Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort confirmed he is prepared to trade out of the No. 4 slot, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz made similar remarks.
The latter currently owns the fifth overall pick in his first offseason at the helm of the franchise, one which could go a long way in rebuilding the team’s receiver room. However, Hortiz is open to a move down the board.
“We’ll see how it goes. It’s still early and the phone is not ringing yet because we’re still a month or so out,” Hortiz said during a Thursday media availability (via the team’s website). “But I’ve had teams ask me and are gauging my interest. Certainly, as I said before, I’m open to all options when it comes to the draft. I’m not locked into any one spot — forwards, backwards, staying right there.”
The Bolts currently own nine selections in the draft, including four of the first 105 picks. With Hortiz overseeing a new front office and a revamped coaching staff led by Jim Harbaugh, though, this offseason has taken on the form of a major retooling endeavor.
Acquiring extra picks would further that effort, and a small move down the order would likely still allow Los Angeles to select one of the top receiver or offensive tackle prospects in the 2024 class.
The top-three quarterbacks available are expected to be taken before the Cardinals are on the clock; they, like the Chargers, could certainly stand to add to their pass-catching corps.
Other teams could be motivated to secure the next-best signal-caller, however, which means those such as the Giants, Vikings and Broncos represent potential suitors for the fourth and fifth picks.
The price Ossenfort sets for No. 4 will of course be a major factor in determining the market for that selection and the one Hortiz is in control of.
The Chargers released Mike Williams and traded away Keenan Allen (despite efforts made to retain the latter), leaving the team with two glaring roster holes at the WR position.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze figure to hear their names called in the top 10, and staying put would likely ensure the Bolts could select from at least two members of that trio.
If the opportunity presents itself to trade down, however, Hortiz could become a figure to watch closely in the lead-in to the draft.
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