New Mock Draft Sees Chargers Trading Down, Landing Two First-Round Picks

"With the fifth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select...."

This statement will only be made if the Bolts hold onto their first-round selection. There has been plenty of talk about the team moving back in the first round to gain some extra draft capital and there is a good chance of it happening.

In one of the latest mock drafts from Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus, they have the Bolts trading back with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal would see Los Angeles land the No. 11 pick, No. 23 pick and a 2025 third-rounder selection.

This would be quite the haul for the Bolts if they could make it happen. Minnesota has been actively trying to move themselves up the draft boards to take a quarterback, so the Chargers could be a prime trading partner.

In this mock, the Bolts would select offensive tackle Troy Fautanu out of the University of Washington at No. 11. Spielberger explains why Fautanu could be a good choice for Los Angeles.

"The Chargers move down and still add a plug-and-play offensive lineman in Fautanu who just played very well against head coach Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines in the national championship game, earning run-blocking and pass-blocking grades above 70.0. Fautanu didn’t record a single-game pass-blocking grade below 70.0 in 2023, and the fluidity and movement ability he put on display at the NFL scouting combine was evidence of a player who could become a really good second-level run blocker in the NFL."

With Jim Harbaugh as the new coach of the Bolts, the expectation is that Los Angeles will beef up the trenches. They have a real need on the offensive line, and within this mock draft, they quickly address it. But the team has holes elsewhere and with their extra first-round pick, they address another. Spielberger has them selecting cornerback Cooper DeJean out of the University of Iowa.

"The Chargers moved on from cornerback J.C. Jackson early in 2023 and Michael Davis signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, so this is an extremely thin cornerback room beyond Asante Samuel Jr. headed into 2024. DeJean has a diverse skill set and would add immediate game-breaking ability to the backend of the Chargers' defense."

This would be a steal for the Bolts, adding two key positions within the first round. They would get a potential starting tackle and cornerback while picking up an extra third-rounder pick for next year.

If the Bolts do trade down, this could be an example of what a trade may look like. It's something to watch for with draft night coming up quickly and things could get very exciting for this team.