Los Angeles Chargers News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2024 Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft: Harbaugh Era, Season One

Originally posted on Full Press Coverage
By Terrance Biggs | Last updated 4/18/24

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the Jim Harbaugh Era with a boatload of draft picks and high hopes for the future.

When the Los Angeles Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh, they decided to restart the franchise. In that, Jim Harbaugh brings an attitude and passion for the game. As a result, expect the Chargers to take the field with a bit more excitement. Additionally, the team’s perennial identity crisis stops and the need to step the tone for the duration of the Harbaugh Era. Now, with the attitude, the team needs a strong identity.

5th Overall (Rome Odunze, WR, Washington)

Justin Herbert watched his top two wideouts receive their pink slips. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are noe former Chargers. Now, Odunze combines the best of each of the released stars. With sure hands, Odunze traces crisp routes over all three levels of the field. Next, he brings physicality and strength to contact catches. More importantly, Odunze helped the Chargers usher in a new era.

37th Overall (T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas)

Despite his enormous heft, Sweat moves well not just only on the inside, but he can string out wide run plays. Most importantly, he will keep blockers occupied as the edge rushers look for single-blocking on the outside. A recent DUI should not affect his draft stock.

69th Overall (Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson)

For years, Los Angeles lacked any substantive play from their linebackers, especially on the inside. Trotter presents the opportunity to start from the first day. From there, you will see the downhill explosive capabilities. With his first step and the defensive line keeping him rather clean, look for near-three-digit tackles for the Clemson standout.

105th Overall (Blake Corum, RB, Michigan)

If you followed the University of Michigan during their championship run, you are fully aware that Blake Corum is a Harbaugh back. That is to say, he runs with physicality and burst. With his running style and mindset, did you expect the Chargers to pick any other running back? While the Chargers did add J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, neither profile as a lead back.

110th Overall (Malik Washington, WR, Virginia)

With Odunze and Quentin Johnston occupying the outside, Los Angeles needs an underneath target to glide through option routes and make third down grabs. Washington is quicker than fast, but his best traits have nothing to do with a 40 time. First, he breaks tackles with a low center of gravity coupled with hands that will catch in a crowd. Despite his size, he presents the Chargers with a viable threat.

140th Overall (Josh Newton, CB, TCU)

One sure intangible quality of a Harbaugh draft is looking for football awareness. In Newton, the Chargers could deploy him as a versatile chess piece that can play either safety and corner. With the Chiefs lurking in the AFC West, Los Angeles will need to shore up their secondary.

181st Overall (Walter Rouse, OL, Oklahoma)

Looking at the Chargers from a depth aspect, the offensive line looks paper-thin. Under those consequences, a mauler like Rouse could thrive as a developmental project. Blessed with power and long limbs, Rouse presents a higher ceiling as a guard than a tackle. Plus, playing inside prevents faster defenders from using speed around the edge.

225th Overall (Kalen DeLoach, S, Florida State)

As mentioned, Coach Harbaugh will need to address the defensive backfield. Also, the ability to play special teams becomes an issue with the new kickoff rules. While DeLoach plays with straight-line speed, he does not have an aversion to contact, as he will strike the ballcarrier.

253th Overall (Jalen Sundell, OL, North Dakota State)

Like the last four picks in this draft Los Angeles keeps stockpiling potential help at the back end of their roster. For Sundell, he is accustomed to playing in big games Sundell will need to gain experience either on special or the expanded practice squad. Either way, Los Angeles will see their rotation improve.

This article first appeared on Full Press Coverage and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: