Jim Harbaugh eyeing ideal draft scenario for Chargers
It’s expected that three quarterbacks will go in the first three picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.
And with the Minnesota Vikings reportedly eyeing a trade up for a QB as well, it could put the Los Angeles Chargers, who pick fifth overall, in a position to dictate the rest of the first round — something head coach Jim Harbaugh seems to be downright giddy about.
“There's talk of four quarterbacks going in the first four picks; boy if that happens, that pick really becomes like the No. 1 pick in the draft,” Harbaugh said, via NFL.com's Eric Edholm. “If four quarterbacks go in the first four picks, that's not like the fifth pick anymore. That's like the No. 1 pick of the draft for teams that have a great quarterback already.”
With Justin Herbert already entrenched as the team’s starting QB, the Chargers could go in several different directions with their first-round pick.
If USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy are indeed the first four picks in next month’s draft, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who many scouts believe is the best player in the draft, could fall right into the Chargers’ lap.
Harrison Jr. had back-to-back 1,000-yard, 14-touchdown seasons with the Buckeyes over the last two years, and he averaged 17.2 yards per reception during that span.
After trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and releasing Mike Williams in a cap-saving move, wide receiver is arguably L.A.’s biggest area of need. Adding a player of Harrison Jr.’s caliber would be a coup for Harbaugh and Herbert.
The Chargers also need a left tackle, a starting tight end and edge-rusher, meaning Notre Dame OT Joe Alt, Georgia TE Brock Bowers and Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner could also all be in play when L.A. is on the clock.
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