Chargers would be wise to stay put in the 2024 NFL Draft despite trade down rumors circulating
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and many rumors are circulating regarding what the Los Angeles Chargers will do with their top pick in the first-round. This upcoming draft will be a critical moment to kick off the new era under general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh and the two will […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and many rumors are circulating regarding what the Los Angeles Chargers will do with their top pick in the first-round.
This upcoming draft will be a critical moment to kick off the new era under general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh and the two will have to make sure to come out of the draft showing some level of high success.
The Chargers currently are in possession of the fifth overall pick in the draft but many rumors are floating around that Hortiz could trade out of the Top-5 pick in order to acquire more draft assets. The team currently has seven total picks in this year's draft.
The most notable sign of this outcome possibly being predicted came from NFL Network's draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah who shared this interesting response when asked what he would do with the fifth overall pick if he were in Hortiz's shoes.
Jeremiah is one of the most plugged in draft insiders out there and has been close with the Chargers' organization for years. Perhaps he could be onto something. However, I believe that decision could come back in a negative way for the Chargers.
While it's true the team as multiple holes throughout the roster that Harbaugh stated he's looking to fill this offseason, it's difficult to pass up a potentially franchise altering prospect that could be selected with the fifth overall pick.
The last time the Chargers had a Top-10 selection, they ended up with starting quarterback Justin Herbert. The last time the team had a Top-5 selection, they ended up with Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa. Both players are franchise cornerstones.
The Chargers have had the fifth overall selection four times in franchise history, two of those picks turned into Hall of Famers Junior Seau and LaDainian Tomlinson. If the opportunity shows itself to potentially land a player of that caliber once again, would you turn down that opportunity?
The NFL Draft is and always has been a crapshoot and last year's draft proved that following the disappointing rookie season of first-round wide receiver Quentin Johnston. If the evaluation just isn’t there, then Hortiz should move back to reassess the board from another pick. If it is, Hortiz and the front office shouldn’t hesitate to acquire the prospect that could help lift the team over the top.
Some of the top prospects linked to the Chargers with their first-round pick include LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, and Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.
The trend remains the same. The Chargers top pick in the draft should be a player who can help transform the offense around Herbert. By moving back in the draft, the Chargers could risk missing out on one of these top play-makers who could allow that to happen.
It's a tough line to walk and we will soon see what decision Hortiz looks to make with his top pick in the first draft as the team's general manager.
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