The Chargers own the No. 5 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.
Now that we know where Los Angeles will be picking, let’s take a look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round.
NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah — WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Odunze is my favorite player in the draft. He’s a complete receiver. The Chargers have salary-cap decisions to make with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. This would be a home run addition for Justin Herbert.
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso — WR Malik Nabers, LSU
“I think Nabers is every bit of an elite WR prospect as Harrison. Seriously. Once he learns the entire route tree, he’ll be a star at the next level. Explosive athlete with plus hands.”
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings — OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
“You don’t always see the Chargers picking tackles early in 2024 NFL Mock Drafts, but Justin Herbert got injured in 2023, and right tackle Trey Pipkins leaves much to be desired. With Joe Alt‘s rare recovery athleticism, flexibility, length, and leverage acquisition skills, Herbert’s right side would be secure — and the run game would get a boost, too.”
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
“Mike Williams is 29 years old coming off a season in which he was limited to three games. His salary cap hit for the 2024 campaign is north of $32 million. If Los Angeles, which has $-44 million in salary cap space when the new league year rolls over, moves on from him, it would save $20 million. The addition of Bowers, a California native, absorbs some of that loss.”
Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling — WR Malik Nabers, LSU
College Wire staff — WR Malik Nabers, LSU
The Chargers are looking for a new head coach, which could switch up their draft process. However, I still believe they can’t pass on the opportunity to get quarterback Justin Herbert some help out wide. Nabers can be a big-play threat for the Bolts.
The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer — EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
“The Chargers need to be concerned that Khalil Mack will be 33 in February and Joey Bosa, who’s 28, simply cannot stay healthy to provide the needed impact. Going for Turner as a developing cornerstone makes sense as he has lot of former teammate Will Anderson Jr.’s game in him.”
The Draft Network’s Brentley Weissman — WR Rome Odunze, Washington
“As someone who watches an unhealthy amount of Pac-12 football, I am incredibly high on Rome Odunze. As a matter of fact, Odunze is graded as my third overall player in the class. He has it all: Smooth, sudden, explosive and physical. He would give the Chargers an elite No. 1 option as Keenan Allen ages.”
