The 2024 offseason for the Los Angeles Chargers was one of change. A disappointing 2023 season led to a coaching shakeup, with the arrival of the highly-respected Jim Harbaugh. With a talented young quarterback in Justin Herbert already under center, the Chargers entered the 2024 with a clear mission: build a team around him that could return to contention. Did General Manager Joe Hortiz and Coach Harbaugh effectively utilize their nine draft picks? Let’s grade their draft class and see if the Chargers’ Top Draft Priorities were addressed.
Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft Grade: A
The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2024 NFL Draft was a masterclass in addressing needs with a touch of calculated risk. Under the guidance of new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, General Manager Joe Hortiz aimed to build a team around the electric talent of quarterback Justin Herbert. With nine draft picks at their disposal, they weren’t afraid to make some bold moves and they crushed them. The LA Chargers passed with flying colors and get an A for their NFL Draft.
| Draft Pick | Selection |
|---|---|
| Rd 1 – pick 5 | Joe Alt, T – Notre Dame |
| Rd 2 – pick 37 | Ladd McConkey, WR – Georgia |
| Rd 3 – Pick 69 | Junior Colson, LB – Michigan |
| Rd 4 – pick 105 | Justin Eboigbe, DE – Alabama |
| Rd 5 – pick 137 | Tarheeb Still, CB – Maryland |
| Rd 5 – pick 140 | Cam Hard, CB – Notre Dame |
| Rd 6 – pick 181 | Kimani Vidal, RB – Troy |
| Rd 7 – pick 225 | Brenden Rice, WR – USC |
| Rd 7 – pick 253 | Cornelius Johnson, WR – Michigan |
Protecting Justin Herbert
The Chargers didn’t shy away from their biggest need in the first round, selecting massive offensive tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame with the fifth overall pick. Passing on Malik Nabers was a bit of a surprise considering who they’d lost at the position but Alt is a pro-ready blocker who immediately solidifies LA’s tackle position. Pairing Alt with Rashawn Slater gives the Chargers one of the top tackle tandems in the NFL.
Los Angeles clearly had a plan at receiver when passing on Nabers as their focus on offense continued in the second round with the selection of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey, known for his ro🐽ute-running savvy and reliable hands, steps right into the security role vacated by Keenan Allen and should be Justin Herbet’s security blanket.
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Loading up on Defense mid-draft
After the first two rounds, Hortiz and the Chargers brass sought help for their defense that struggled mightily last yea🦩r. In the third round, Harbaugh grabbed his first Wolverine of the draft as they addressed their linebacker corps by selecting Junior Colsonꦑ, a tackling machine with sideline-to-sideline speed.
LA followed this up by grabbing defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe out of Alabama, a player with good pass-rushing skills in the fourth round. The Chargers traded for another 5th-round pick and went back-to-back cornerbacks with picks 137 and 140 to close out their run of defensive players in the middle rounds. Tarheeb Still (Maryla🤪nd) and Cam Hart (Notre Dame) join a Chargers secondary that was one of the NFL’s worst in 2023.
Filling out the Receiving Corps
With their final three picks over the last two rounds, the Chargers added depth at running back with Kimani Vidal. Then they added two more wide-outs to fill out their depleted receiving corܫps with Brenden Rice, son of legend Jerry Rice, and Cornelius Johnson, Harbaugh’s second Michigan player joining the fold.
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Bolts Power Up in 2024 NFL Draft
Overall, the Chargers’ 2024 draft class addressed their most pressing needs while adding valuable depth at multiple spots. The success of this draft class hinges on the immediate impact of rookies like Alt and McConkey, but if they develop quickly, the Chargers could be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC West under Coach Harbaugh’s leadership.
