To understand the Chargers’ needs in the NFL draft, it’s important to consider who they already have on their roster and what they’ve already addressed via free agency during the first months of the tenures of Jim Harbaugh as coach and Joe Hortiz as general manager.
When it comes to the Chargers’ offense, it would seem clear that vacancies have been filled at the running back and tight end positions, with the free-agent signings of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards and Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst. Does that mean they won’t seek additions at those spots?
Not necessarily.
During an extended conversation with reporters last week, Hortiz stressed the need for depth at all positions. So, if a great running back or tight end is available to be picked, then they’re going to be picked. There’s zero reason to believe Harbaugh and Hortiz won’t select the best player available.
“When you look at what the goal (of the draft) is, it’s to add depth and add great players at every position,” Hortiz said.
So, what positions are the Chargers seeking to add among the top offensive prospects available in the draft Thursday, Friday and Saturday? What are their priorities when it comes to remaking an offense that failed to live up to expectations last season and resulted in the hiring of Harbaugh and Hortiz?
Obviously, the Chargers don’t need a quarterback, with Justin Herbert expected to be back in form after a season-ending finger injury sidelined him for the final four games of the 2023 season. Their offensive line seems settled with the signing of free agent center Bradley Bozeman.
Upgrades are always possible, though.
Protecting the Chargers’ five-year, $262.5 million investment in Herbert, who signed what was at the time a record contract extension last July, would appear to be a significant goal. It’s likely the Chargers will seek help for their offensive line. Herbert has been sacked 130 times in his four-year career.
Dissly and Hurst are willing blockers, as well as solid receivers, but it’s not out of the question that the Chargers could trade back in the first round in order to select tight end Brock Bowers of the University of Georgia. They also could trade back and take a lineman, possibly tackle Joe Alt of Notre Dame.
“I think we can go out and play football today,” Hortiz said of the Chargers’ offensive line as it stood going into the draft. “I do believe that, 100 percent. Again, the best players, you just take them. What you do is you create great depth and you create great competition. Then, the best players play.
“If you have five starters and you draft someone or sign someone who’s better than one of your five starters, you’ve just made your team a lot better because the offensive line – those guys get hurt, too. One goes down, you’re in great standing.”
The elephant in the Chargers’ draft war room was that there was no elephant.
That is to say, there’s a large void on the roster, created when wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were jettisoned last month as salary cap casualties, as the Chargers worked feverishly to comply with the NFL’s salary cap deadline March 13. Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears and Williams was released.
The moves were difficult but necessary, and they created two important job openings, neither of which was filled during free agency – so far, anyway. It’s led to plenty of speculation that the Chargers will draft a top receiver with the fifth overall selection, possibly Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State.
Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of the University of Washington are additional possibilities if Harrison is snapped up as one of the top four picks. Any one of Harrison, Nabers or Odunze would bolster a receiver corps that currently consists of Joshua Palmer and second-year players Quentin Johnston and Darius Davis.
Hortiz said he expects four quarterbacks to be picked with the first four selections, leaving the Chargers with their choice of top position players at No. 5. But he said he is equally prepared for only two or three quarterbacks to go in the top four picks before the Chargers make their selection.
“I think you always look at the list and you’re like, ‘Do I like this player or this player?’” Hortiz said. “And you may be looking at player (No.) 110 (in the ratings) versus 111. Sometimes it’s like, ‘OK, they’re two different positions, and which one has more value?’ … The (draft) board is pretty set.”
All will be revealed in time.
