Way-too-early Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is on April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

After the Los Angeles Chargers crumbled last season, they hired Jim Harbaugh as head coach, hoping he would jolt the underachieving franchise. However, he faces a taxing rebuild. The team isn't in a position to spend this offseason; Spotrac estimates it's $18.61M over the cap. The Chargers must make the most of the 2024 NFL Draft.

2023 record: 5-12 | First-round pick: No. 5 | Team needs: WR, OT, CB 
Potential first-round picks: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington; Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Chargers need a reliable No. 2 WR. Mike Williams—who has the team's fourth-highest cap number ($32.4M)—suffered a season-ending ACL tear last season, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that many wonder whether they'll release the 29-year-old. Backup Quentin Johnston only had two receiving touchdowns in 17 games.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Odunze to former Arizona Cardinals star and future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder recorded 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 TDs in 15 games last season. The 21-year-old and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen could become a potent pass-catching duo.

While more weapons could help Justin Herbert enter the MVP conversation, the star QB would benefit from improved pass protection. In 2023, L.A. allowed the league's 12th-most sacks (43). Pro Football Focus gave starting right tackle Trey Pipkins III an average 62.8 grade.

Fuaga earned second-team All-American honors in 2023. CBS Sports' Josh Edwards ranked the 6-foot-6, 324-pounder as the second-best OT in the draft class. He added that he's "also a fluid athlete that's nimble on his feet." 

Los Angeles couldn't stop the pass last season, finishing 29th in the league in passing yards allowed (249.8). Mitchell could address the glaring need. 

The 22-year-old is climbing draft boards after he tied for the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.33) at the scouting combine. Per Field Yates of ESPN, he finished second in the FBS in pass breakups (18) during his final season at Toledo.