Chargers News: LA Trades Back to Gain Extra First-Round Pick in Latest Mock Draft

Matt Levine | Apr 7, 2024

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

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will say these words on draft night, April 25, unless the Bolts decide to trade back in the first round. There has been much speculation of late about the Chargers possibly trading their first pick to gain more capital later in the draft. It isn't a bad idea.

Los Angeles has plenty of holes to fill across its roster, mainly at the wide receiver position and on the offensive line. By trading back, they could nab two players to plug into their depth chart, giving them an explosive first round.

In a new mock draft by Field Yates of ESPN, the Chargers will trade back to grab an extra draft pick: the Minnesota Vikings would give up picks No. 11 and No. 23 in exchange for No. 5. Yates has the Bolts addressing both of their positional needs, selecting Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham at No. 11 and Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at No. 23.

“Following the projected move down, the Chargers can now get to work building this roster how new coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz envision it — which I expect will be through the trenches. Though the Chargers have Trey Pipkins III under contract for another two seasons, Latham would represent a short- and long-term upgrade. And he has the positional versatility to play guard if Los Angeles wanted to keep Pipkins on the field. Latham’s overwhelming strength is a perfect fit for a team that will want to wear opponents out with its physicality.”

Latham would be a great pickup for the Chargers, giving them more protection for star quarterback Justin Herbert. The Bolts need help along the offensive line and Latham was one of the best in college last season. His footwork and strength could give head coach Jim Harbaugh a powerful start to building his line.

As for Mitchell, he starred at Texas, helping the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff this season. He caught 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

Said Yates: “There is a plausible scenario in which the Chargers stand pat at No. 5 and take the best wide receiver available. After releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen, they have to reshape their wide receiver room. But here Los Angeles can stockpile picks and still take advantage of a deep receiver class, landing a buttery smooth route runner in Mitchell. He has excellent size, great speed and reliable hands, with just one drop in his lone season at Texas (he transferred from Georgia). He also averaged 15.4 yards per catch last season and would be a good fit with quarterback Justin Herbert."

If the Bolts could land both Latham and Mitchell, it would be a massive boost to their overall team build. While moving away from the No. 5 pick may be tough, the Chargers could look to grab multiple x-factors.