Chargers News: Joe Hortiz Reveals What Bolts Will Do With First Round Draft Pick
During his introductory press conference, new Los Angeles Chargers GM Joe Hortiz shared his plan for the Chargers' first-round draft pick.
The Chargers currently have the No. 5 pick in the draft, giving them a chance to select a premium player. Per Omar Navarro of Chargers.com, Hortiz is looking to do just that, kind of regardless of position.
“I think we stick to the process of finding the best player available," Hortiz said.
Hortiz also added that he believes in this approach for all of their draft picks, not just their first-rounder.
There are typically two general approaches to the NFL Draft, one where a team picks players at a position they need most, and another where they opt for the best player available. From Hortiz's answer, it looks like he falls into the latter category.
If Hortiz does opt to take the best player available, there's a good chance the Chargers select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Many believe that the best player available will be Bowers, a unanimous All-American in 2023. Bowers is also a 2x John Mackey award winner, which is the award given to the most outstanding tight end in college football.
Though Bowers is widely considered one of the top prospects in the entire draft, his position could hurt his draft stock since tight ends are generally not a highly valued positioned. However, it never hurts to give Justin Herbert another weapon. In addition, the Chargers have had good fortune with the one tight end they've drafted in the first round, Kellen Winslow, who went on to become a Hall of Famer.
If Bowers is not that player for the Chargers, there are still plenty of highly-touted prospects which fit the mold Hortiz is talking about, including LSU WR Malik Nabers or Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. if he falls.
Ultimately, Chargers fans will have to wait until late April to see what Hortiz and the Chargers do with their fifth overall pick.
