2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Go Chargers go]

I completely understand. But... the Steelers made the playoffs with Kenny Picket and Mason Rudolf as their QB's. Their best TE was Pat Freiermuth (32 catches). They made it while playing in the toughest division in football. They made it playing defense. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just beat the Eagles (and their 30th scoring defense) with Baker Mayfield at QB and Cade Otten as their TE. They won that game with defense.

Defense matters... it just does. We've spent the last 4 years' first-round picks on an offensive player.
Go get the boring defensive player for once.

It Does make sense to draft best Edge if we let Mack and Bosa Go. But if one stays we have to go offense in first.

[Boltnut]

Too many intriguing prospects at more important positions to pass on for Brock Bowers at the fifth overall pick, in my opinion. Jake Ferguson caught 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns this season. He was drafted in the fourth round. Schultz caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns this season. He was also drafted in the fourth round. There are many more examples of mid-round tight ends being that productive, and Herbert can do more than fine with one of them.

This team can't win with Tuli as the only viable pass-rusher once Mack and Bosa are done--or the ugly situations we have at defensive tackle and cornerback. We also need to figure out what we're going to do at right tackle, so if the new front office and coaching staff think taking an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick is the answer, I'm all for it.

Exactly! There are so many needs. I'd trade back to #8 (Atlanta) and pick up an extra 3rd rounder and 4th rounder. The Trade Value Chart says it's an even trade. TT used to get enamored with a certain player, trade away picks to move up, and the player wouldn't ball-out like expected. It's one of the reasons we became so thin and never had depth. People have been complaining about that for years. Now they see eye candy (Bowers) and throw everything we've learned out the window...

[blueman]

Too many intriguing prospects at more important positions to pass on for Brock Bowers at the fifth overall pick, in my opinion. Jake Ferguson caught 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns this season. He was drafted in the fourth round. Schultz caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns this season. He was also drafted in the fourth round. There are many more examples of mid-round tight ends being that productive, and Herbert can do more than fine with one of them.

This team can't win with Tuli as the only viable pass-rusher once Mack and Bosa are done--or the ugly situations we have at defensive tackle and cornerback. We also need to figure out what we're going to do at right tackle, so if the new front office and coaching staff think taking an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick is the answer, I'm all for it.

Everyone wants Bosa and Mack gone, which leaves Tuli and ??? as EDGE. Regardless of who we have playing behind them, that would be a crappy D and we’d be lucky to get to 5 wins. We had a top Dline for getting to the passer last year, and the 31st ranked secondary. Eliminate Mack, who had the lion’s share of those sacks/pressures, you got crap cuz no single EDGE can do it all, Tuli will get doubled and look very very mediocre and our pass coverage will be dead last. Reality, folks.

I don’t think scheme change is the fix like I do with the OL, we have a serious dearth of talent all over the D thanks to Staley/TT sunny draft pickings ending up big effing rain clouds, it’s late AJ I-know-everything-better-than-anyone-else bad. If the draft goes one, maybe two O picks and all else D, that would be very appropriate IMHO. I love that all O draft someone posted, but an all D draft would make the team better IMHO.

[Boltnut]

The Steelers made it unexpectedly and never had a hope of winning a playoff game.

Lets worry about the defense after we maximize the most talented player this franchise has ever had, the one that will soon be paid 52 million dollars a year and can win more games than any defensive player with the right weapons

If you want to maximize the most talented player this franchise has ever had... then you will need a time machine to bring LT back. LT wasn't even LT until they upgraded the OL through draft and FA.

Build around... sure. Go look at JH's best season thus far (2021). It wasn't the personnel (Jared Cook was the TE). It was the blocking scheme (under Frank Smith) that was the difference. They regularly rush for 3.8 ypc (2020, 2022, 2023). In 2021, they rushed for 4.3 ypc. JH went off! He didn't have to carry the offense on his back. And as I've pointed out numerous times... that OL had Michael Schofield @RG and Storm Norton @RT. But Frank Smith schemed/coached them correctly. I have no doubt that if Harbaugh is hired, he will have that OL blocking better. I have no doubt that he will not put up with that defense either. He'll see holes throughout the defense. He'll trade that #5 pick for additional picks... because he knows he has to. He won't obsess over TE.

Get your TE's in FA (they're much cheaper) and in the 4th round. Get your CB's and DE's in the 1st (like the Steelers)... you'll make the playoffs (even with Mason Rudolph as your QB).

[Boltjolt]

Pittsburgh didn't draft Patrick Peterson or Levi

[La Costa Boy]

He hardly touched the ball at Georgia. Not sure he proved anything. He's a big guy, but skill wise is very much up in the air. Which is why he is a 3rd stringer.

28 receptions in 2022 with a 16.2 yard average. That was with Bowers nabbing 63 grabs and with a team that had a solid ground game AND a solid WR core. Only so many snaps and passes to go around. I'll take a flyer on him while shedding Bosa's bloat versus the cap. I would rather do this than say, get a 5th/6th for JB. But it's all hypothetical and with JB's injury history, you have to ask just who would give up anything for him.

[Classic]

Im sorry but i am not passing on Elite talent just to have a shot at drafting a avg CB or DL with a extra 4th rounder. We arent rebuilding the team in one draft class so why hurry the process. Lots of people are so worried about our depth but noy our starters which we need plenty. For that reason I am not for trading back unless its a few spots and we can land of the one of the (Bowers, Nabers, Alt, Latu, Kool-Aid)

[blueman]

Im sorry but i am not passing on Elite talent just to have a shot at drafting a avg CB or DL with an extra 4th rounder. We arent rebuilding the team in one draft class so why hurry the process. Lots of people are so worried about our depth but noy our starters which we need plenty. For that reason I am not for trading back unless its a few spots and we can land of the one of the (Bowers, Nabers, Alt, Latu, Kool-Aid)

So true: folks here expect four premium starters, two on O (MW and Allen) and two on D (Bosa and Mack) to be gone. So other than JH, who’s left that’s a bonafide premium player anywhere else on the team? Our kicker and a return guy? Playoffs?!

[Icebolt]

Trading down to #8 seems the most possible scenario. Atlanta needs a QB and at #5 they may bet one ( probably get the same guy at #8 but don't tell them that). At #8 get a stud OL or if the top 2 are gone go with DL. At #2 I still think you can get a stud DL. This is not flashy but it's how great teams are built.

[blueman]

Trading down to #8 seems the most possible scenario. Atlanta needs a QB and at #5 they may bet one ( probably get the same guy at #8 but don't tell them that). At #8 get a stud OL or if the top 2 are gone go with DL. At #2 I still think you can get a stud DL. This is not flashy but it's how great teams are built.

Makes too much sense, for us but especially for ATL (plus we get extra picks 😎 ).

Also everyone seems not up like the WR FAs, rather pay one of them and get really solid production at the position all year than ??? FA OT/OG, cuz who’s even available? Gotta draft the beef to get the good stuff there.

[21&500]

Im sorry but i am not passing on Elite talent just to have a shot at drafting a avg CB or DL with a extra 4th rounder. We arent rebuilding the team in one draft class so why hurry the process. Lots of people are so worried about our depth but noy our starters which we need plenty. For that reason I am not for trading back unless its a few spots and we can land of the one of the (Bowers, Nabers, Alt, Latu, Kool-Aid)

Generally agree, but Jim should have a huge advantage in this and next years draft since he basically has recruited half the prospects.
He knows some of these kids' parents. (And in some cases, their professions.)
it's likely that we never pick top 5 again (I've heard that one before!) But seriously, we can potentially come up Ala Pete Carroll in 2012 (year?) When Seattle hit on almost every pick.

Its simple math imo, Jim and company just need to count how many blue chippers they have, add 2 qbs (to be safe) and that's the lowest we should be willing to trade to.
Pre determine the minimum compensation needed and act like you're not interested in trading back.

Easily the easiest draft day in a long time.

[blueman]

Generally agree, but Jim should have a huge advantage in this and next years draft since he basically has recruited half the prospects.
He knows some of these kids' parents. (And in some cases, their professions.)
it's likely that we never pick top 5 again (I've heard that one before!) But seriously, we can potentially come up Ala Pete Carroll in 2012 (year?) When Seattle hit on almost every pick.

Its simple math imo, Jim and company just need to count how many blue chippers they have, add 2 qbs (to be safe) and that's the lowest we should be willing to trade to.
Pre determine the minimum compensation needed and act like you're not interested in trading back.

Easily the easiest draft day in a long time.

Harbaugh should net us the best top to bottom draft in a loooong time.