Alex Katson's 7-round Los Angeles Chargers mock draft 1.0 (2024)

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In this scenario, quarterbacks go with the first three picks before Arizona chooses Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. That gives Los Angeles a prime opportunity to trade down with Minnesota, who comes up to #5 to grab their quarterback of the future.

With wide receivers Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze also off the board by the time the Chargers come on the clock at #11, Los Angeles pivots to the offensive line. The Chargers sent offensive line coach Mike Devlin to Washington’s pro day in late March, where he helped orchestrate the drills with Fautanu and right tackle Roger Rosengarten.

Fautanu can play tackle or guard at a high level. For the Chargers, he likely pushes Jamaree Salyer for the right guard spot, with designs on taking over at right tackle in 2025 if Trey Pipkins cannot bounce back from a rough 2023 season. Pipkins becomes much easier to move on from after the 2024 season.

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Los Angeles grabs this pick from Minnesota as part of the move down from #5 to #11 in this scenario.

While the Kristian Fulton signing makes cornerback a slightly less glaring need for the Chargers, they still need a long-term option at the position. Both Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. will be free agents after the 2024 season. Neither have shown the ability to be a consistent CB1 in the NFL, either.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was among the Chargers contingent in attendance at Clemson’s pro day, one of the only stops he made during this year’s circuit. Wiggins is a natural Cover 3 corner who the Chargers also visited during the season, when Clemson played Florida State at the end of September.

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Los Angeles’ need for a wide receiver is obvious after trading Keenan Allen to Chicago and releasing Mike Williams as part of their quest to create cap space in March. While not addressing the position in the first round may be upsetting to some fans, the depth of this wide receiver class – regarded as one of the best in recent memory – may allow the Chargers to wait for an impactful player.

McConkey is a great example of this. While he’s pigeonholed as a slot receiver only in many evaluations, the former Georgia star profiles more closely to shiftier outside receivers who can win out of the slot. While not a direct replacement for Allen, McConkey would have a similar target profile, something Justin Herbert has proven to be a fan of.

Michigan linebacker Junior Colson (25) runs a drill during open practice at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

Los Angeles signed Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye to one year deals in free agency, with Perryman slated to start in 2024. Dye will likely be more of a special teamer, replacing Amen Ogbongbemiga, who signed with the Bears.

Opposite Perryman, 2023 third rounder Daiyan Henley is currently slated to start. While Henley could take a step forward – many Chargers fans hope he will – Los Angeles needs to add another potential contributor, especially with Perryman’s future not guaranteed.

Colson comes with the familiarity with Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter and could play either linebacker position in the Chargers defense. Adding him would give LA a duo of Henley and Colson as the long-term options in the second level.

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The Chargers have, of course, been linked heavily to Michigan’s Blake Corum at running back. But his profile closely matches that of Gus Edwards, signed by the Chargers at the open of free agency. Isaiah Spiller is also a similar player, although he will likely be relegated to RB3 duties at best in the 2024 version of the offense.

LA hired former USC running backs coach Kiel McDonald this offseason, who helped develop Lloyd during his lone season in the Coliseum. Lloyd also brings a different skillset as a more all-around back who could be the lead back in a committee as a rookie while still meshing well with what Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh want out of the offense.

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It seems likely that the Chargers will double dip at wide receiver in the draft after moving slowly at the position in free agency. In this scenario, Los Angeles uses the pick acquired from Chicago for Keenan Allen to continue trying to replace his production.

Washington, unlike McConkey, is probably more of a slot-only receiver. It would give Los Angeles a quartet of Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston (who could both be the X receiver), McConkey at Z, and Washington in the slot.

Chargers national scout James MacPherson, who is based on the east coast, was also the one who put Washington through wide receiver drills during his pro day. (Wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal was at Texas that day.) That established interest – MacPherson is a key member of the Chargers front office – could also be a clue as to their interest in Washington.

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Nourzad has been rising up draft boards since his appearance at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January, following that week up with a strong combine and growing interest.

A Cornell transfer who has experience at all five offensive line positions, Nourzad has the intelligence and experience to make the calls from center in a number of schemes. Harbaugh and company are also familiar with him from Big Ten play.

Nourzad would step in as the backup center behind the recently signed Bradley Bozeman, with the hope that he’d develop into the starter long-term.

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Reiman is one of the most athletic tight ends in history, but has remained an underrated prospect in this tight end class. Los Angeles signed Will Dissly to be a primary blocker and Hayden Hurst to be a receiving TE2, but there is still room for the Chargers to add another contributor in that room.

While Reiman has been looked at as primarily a blocking tight end, he showed ample receiving ability at the Shrine Bowl in January and during drills at the combine in February. He would be LA’s TE2 in run sets and add receiving ability next to Hurst.

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Kansas Jayhawks safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) smiles while on field during the NCAA college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Kansas won 49-16.