2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Boltjolt]

I don't pay attention to mocks at all. Historically, a real bad way to determine value. I like to watch tape on my own.
I'd be very interested to see who goes #1-20 in those mocks. I'd be very interested to see the CB's taken ahead of McKinstry.
IMO, college coaches know more about their opponents' talents than sports writers.
If the coaches are staying away from the Kool-Aid... I'm first in line @the punch bowl.

Well, I like him but he isn't on Surtans level. So after Bowers I'd take Latu and Turner ahead of him.

In fact I just did a mock sim where AZ took Bowers ahead of us so i did trade down a little.
Traded back to 9 then a team wanted to go to 10 with a QB on the board so I got another pick to move back 2 spots.

Rice isn't falling that far as he did here so considered that a bargain.

Screenshot_20240103-150619.png

[blueman]

Well, I like him but he isn't on Surtans level. So after Bowers I'd take Latu and Turner ahead of him.

In fact I just did a mock sim where AZ too Bowers ahead of us so i did trade down a little.
Rice isn't falling that far so considered that a bargain.

Screenshot_20240103-150619.png

I like that draft.

[Fouts2herbert]

When looking @the Rams... by far the biggest reasons for their rise have been the production of WR Puka Nacua (5th round) and RB Kyren Williams (5th round). Their OL has done a very good job despite using unheralded starters [Alaric Jackson (UDFA), Steve Avila (2nd round), Brian Allen (4th round), Kevin Dotson (4th round), and Rob Havenstein (2nd round)]... They have gotten a lot of production out of Tyler Higbee (4th round).

If you think coaching matters... then you may want to look at Zak Kromer (assistant OL coach for the Rams).

https://www.therams.com/team/coaches-roster/zak-kromer

I don't think there is a single one of you that would've drafted Karen Williams, I can imagine the posts had it come to pass and he'd been a charger, here goes TT drafting small slow guys just because they are from Norte Dame, etc...I got roasted one time I brought him up before that draft...I thought the kid had something from watching him play at ND...as for drafting well, I think by now McVay and his people have earned some of the credit for developing all of those lower round picks, so many of those guys go to other teams and don't do as well as they did on the rams...

[beachcomber]

yes obviously coaching matters. Aside from the OL, Kyren and Puka (who is an absolute stud and I can't believe none of the draftniks on this board mentioned him must less the Chargers finding him as hes the type of big WR they like) their defensive rookies are also playing very well. Basically, they have conducted a master class on finding players that fit what they want to do and bringing them on quickly. They were 3-6 at one point this season and are closing on a 6-1 run.

I clearly recall someone posting about Pacua, and was sorta leaning that way, but not for long (as usually stick w/most of my guys for the duration of the process), and.... personally had Kyren Williams in some of my earlier mocks, but don't think I had him all the way thru to the end.

wondering if that was Boltinloudguy or someone else on the Pacua bandwagon.... ??

[Boltjolt]

I don't think there is a single one of you that would've drafted Karen Williams, I can imagine the posts had it come to pass and he'd been a charger, here goes TT drafting small slow guys just because they are from Norte Dame, etc...I got roasted one time I brought him up before that draft...I thought the kid had something from watching him play at ND...as for drafting well, I think by now McVay and his people have earned some of the credit for developing all of those lower round picks, so many of those guys go to other teams and don't do as well as they did on the rams...

That's not true. I know Wu liked him and mocked him to us.

I liked him too but fell off when he ran a slower time being 195 lbs.

Not sure who else liked him but he was good at Notre Dame.

[beachcomber]

I'm excited about this game. Guys to watch:

LB Junior Colston. Harbaugh asks him to do so much for this defense. Hard nose player with movement skills plays all over the place.
IDL Kris Jenkins. Often takes on double teams and allows others to make plays. Very strong and can make plays when 1v1.
S Rod Moore. Another guy Harbaugh relies on to do a lot of different things on defense. Assignment versatile.
LB Michael Barrett. Wasn't on my radar until recently. Versatile.
IDL Mason Graham. Only a sophmore but creates chaos at the LOS.
RB Blake Corum. Smallish but very strong. Very productive.
WR Roman Wilson. Often a forgotten man on a team that likes to run the ball.
OC Blake Nugent. The captain along the OL. The OL kept humming after the loss of Zac Zinter.

WR Rome Odunze. Size and route running make him a mismatch. Has some speed and can be effective at all 3 levels.
DE Bralen Trice. Sets a good edge and can use his long arms to disengage, shed, and get to the QB. Like to see more consistency.
Others: OLB Zion Tupuola-Fetui, RT Roser Rosengarten, LT Troy Fatanu, WR Jalen McMillan.

and former scout who does not like Fautanu....

https://firstroundmock.com/2023/11/troy-fautanu-lacks-what-it-takes/

and for LB per request....

Fautanu has a decent floor, good lower body strength, a better pass blocker than in the run game, personally like his intangibles, and think he'll be a starter, but don't think he'll Pro Bowl, he has plus durability and is prolly fair value as an early second rounder, and he held up pretty well against the Texas Dline ??

he also lacks core strength/functional power, will be 24 next season, is not the strong & silent type, and has a hurried/uneasy pace to his sets, he is not always so much of a hindrance to speed rushers, his pressure rate is not so good, and could end up being closer to avg than not.

will also add that again personally I like others better day two, such as Donovan Jackson/Cooper Beebe, and would mention that he's prolly a LG, and as a Zion homer there is less of an impetus there for me.... his switch inside to guard is a projection, and the comment "passable" traits is not exactly a glowing review.... not on my radar, and despite the kind of intangibles I am usually on the lookout for.

ps. re: Bralen Trice.... front 7 that can shed (disengage from blocks) are very valuable by my take.

[beachcomber]

I believe either Bosa or Mack will be cut/traded. It's the quickest way under the cap.

Another cap casualty will be either KA or MW.

If I were the GM... I'd trade 2 of them (whoever fetches better trade value) and extend/restructure 2 of them.

pls don't retain the either of MW nor Bosa... p!s,

[beachcomber]

It’s the only number out there on the internet for him. I agree we need to see what he can run but since when is a CB rated a top 5 pick and nobody in the world can even figure out how fast he runs?

If he’s a 4.4 or less - great. If he’s really the 4.54 that is posted on the web, I’m starting to worry about the jump from college to pros and need to analyze it a lot closer. I expect he’s probably faster than 4.54, but I need to see it.

As to what helps the defense most - if our roster plan is to dump Joey … I wonder if an elite edge player will have greater impact? A great pass rush makes all DBs better, one great CB won’t save a defense that can’t pressure the QB. Not in the NFL.

It's not.... already replied to your (previous) post and posted that draftscout has him @4.37, and.... w/a low of 4.27 and w/a high of 4.48

https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1052955&DraftYear=2025

[beachcomber]

Puka Nacua.... from Matt Waldman,

https://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2023/12/31/matt-waldmans-rsp-pre-nfl-draft-scouting-report-and-post-draft-analysis-on-rams-wr-puka-nacua/

[jamrock]

I don't think there is a single one of you that would've drafted Karen Williams, I can imagine the posts had it come to pass and he'd been a charger, here goes TT drafting small slow guys just because they are from Norte Dame, etc...I got roasted one time I brought him up before that draft...I thought the kid had something from watching him play at ND...as for drafting well, I think by now McVay and his people have earned some of the credit for developing all of those lower round picks, so many of those guys go to other teams and don't do as well as they did on the rams...

Karen, no. Kyren, yes.

[Fouts2herbert]

Karen, no. Kyren, yes.

LOL, I typed it right but that auto correct wanted Karen instead of Karen

[beachcomber]

Malik Nabers.... w/QJ and Palmer lined up out wide is a.... superpower slot receiver (top 5)

https://firstroundmock.com/2023/12/malik-nabers-the-yac-gawd-2-0/

Rome Odunze.... the Big Easy and w/a Davante Adams compare (top 10).

https://firstroundmock.com/2023/12/wide-receiver-rome-odunze-mr-underrated/