Chargers Trade Back, Nab Extra Second Round Pick in Fresh Mock Draft
Does this makes sense for Jim Harbaugh's team?
The Chargers have a few decisions to make when looking toward the 2024 NFL Draft.
Sitting with the No. 5 overall pick, Jim Harbaugh's team is widely considered to hold the pivot-point selection. Despite not needing a quarterback, a host of other teams may want to try and trade up with the Chargers to nab their future signal-caller.
With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen now on other teams, it would make sense for the Chargers to nab one of the three presumed top receivers in the draft (Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze). The bigger question persists: Can the Chargers trade down, pick up extra assets, and still land one of these top-flight pass catchers?
According to Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, the answer to this question is a resounding yes.
Baumgardner has the Chargers moving out of the No. 5 spot, instead swapping with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons would move up and take Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
In return, along with the No. 8 overall pick, LA would also accrue the No. 43 overall pick (second round) and a 2025 mid-round pick.
In this scenario, all three receivers will be off the board -- in succession -- with the 5th, 6th, and 7th overall picks. At No. 8, the Chargers would then be projected to take Notre Dame OT Joe Alt.
Alt has widely been considered to be the best offensive lineman in this draft. He was nearly flawless sealing the edge for Notre Dame over the last couple of years. Big and athletic, he has the look of a multi-year Pro Bowler, assuming he stays healthy.
Perhaps even more than that, he fits the culture Harbaugh wants to instill perfectly. Building from the inside out would help to establish a physicality up front. With a strong run game, the rest of the team will follow accordingly.
Furthermore, the team would in theory pick up another starter-level player with the second round pick acquired in this deal. Should the Chargers have Alt rated as a potential top-five talent, this deal makes even more sense, should some iteration play out in reality.
