Colin Cowherd Has Chargers Trading Back, Taking Stud Offensive Lineman in Mock Draft

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 1, 2024

Feb 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Radio personality Colin Cowherd broadcasts on radio row. / Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In a fresh 12-pick mock 2024 NFL draft, Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports projects that the Los Angeles Chargers will opt to address their many needs by improving their stash of players, with an emphasis on quantity.

Cowherd believes that the talent-depleted Chargers will trade down from the fifth pick in the first round of an absolutely stacked draft, in exchange for both of the Minnesota Vikings' two 2024 first round selections, at No. 11 and No. 23.

"The Chargers trade down with Minnesota and get both of their first-round picks — this, I'm told, is what Jim Harbaugh wants — and the Vikings select J.J. McCarthy, who will sit a year behind Sam Darnold under Kevin O'Connell," Cowherd predicts.

With the No. 11 pick via Minnesota, Cowherd thinks Los Angeles will draft Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga.

"The Chargers get maybe the best run-blocking tackle in the draft. [in Fuaga]," Cowherd predicts. "You can move him inside or at right tackle. Fuaga is just a mauler. He lost very few snaps all season. This is a team that couldn't rush last year, and I don't buy the Chargers taking a wide receiver here. They want more picks and want to get physical. I think later in the first round, they take an edge rusher or a defensive tackle."

Cowherd doesn't offer a prediction for whom Los Angeles would select at No. 23. That said, players who could be available in that range include Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, and decorated UCLA edge Laiatu Latu.