2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Boltnut]

I've seen so many plays where Bowers is wide open when he catches the ball. He must be doing something right in running his routes or he wouldn't be getting that open as often as he does. Then, after he has the ball in his hands he's hell on wheels. HE can outrun defenders our overpower them. He also has soft hands. He's not a great blocker but he is a decent blocker.

I have a hunch that our new GM will trade out of that pick to get the extra picks. So, our discussion about Bowers won't mean much.

Georgia's offense was so balanced... and had many good players at many positions (especially on the offensive side of the ball). Offenses like that make it hard to concentrate on any one player. Often that leads to guys being wide open. One small error in coverage leads to a player (even the best player) being open.

I don't see Bowers as a player that runs especially great routes. Having said that, he certainly understands how to read a defense's coverage gaps and gets to the open spot in the zone. After the catch (especially in space) he can be hard to tackle and he's very good after the catch. But... now he has to do that against much better NFL quality defenders... bigger, faster, stronger.

If Harbaugh/Horitz decide that Brock is the BPA @#5 and draft him there... who am I to question that decision.
But with this particular team... there are many other possible needs and avenues to proceed.

My preference is a trade-back... where you get at least an extra 3rd rounder and an extra 4th rounder.
I think the 3rd round and 4th round are the sweet spot for this draft. Many of our PON's can be addressed there.
Add in another 3rd rounder (for Mack... or Bosa)... and I think the overall roster is one that you can compete immediately.
Also, understanding Harbaugh/Horitz tendencies... the players available meet the requirements. IDL, LB, RB, TE positions are there.

[Formula 21]

What part of WR says tough? I love topWRs, but I think we go tough this draft. OL it is. Build the foundation.

[Boltnut]

What part of WR says tough? I love topWRs, but I think we go tough this draft. OL it is. Build the foundation.

I don't think you have to limit "tough" to the 1st round. Under those constraints, I'd have to guess OT Joe Alt @#5.

I'd prefer a trade-back... get a bit "tougher" with an extra 3rd and 4th rounder.
Maybe IDL and LB in the 3rd...? Maybe a RB and TE (or an OG) in the 4th...?

Edit: I'd rather have 3 tough guys than 1 tough guy.

[Xenos]

Answer?

[Boltnut]

I just drafted 5 of them over on the mock thread.

[northerner]

Answer?

just for fun:

1 michigan draft pick- 50% chance

2 picks - 15% chance

3 or more picks - 2% (almost no chance)

[Boltjolt]

Answer?

Possibly 4, probably won't work out that way.

[gzubeck]

My head hurts with all these strange draft move downs. Some of it makes sense but most of it just kind of makes me feel strange. I just would do things differently to build out the roster. Premium WRs and edge players are $20 mil cost to buy or extend on the free market and were talking about drafting oline or dline that can be bought for $4-8 mil on the free market. Crap, move down and grab a end or CB and then another quality receiver.

[dmac_bolt]

IMO, the center position will absolutely need to be addressed.
I suppose a FA center could be the direction we go. But with the cap the way it is... I foresee center being a legitimate target in the 2nd round.

You're right... IDL must be a draft target, too. But IMO, 2nd round center and 3rd round IDL looks like BPA meets PON.
OT/OG may have to wait. DE may get addressed... depending on Mack/Bosa decision. But I suspect it's 3rd round at the earliest this draft.

CB, LB, TE, RB... maybe even mid/late round safety and/or WR...
Trade back scenario seems inevitable.

My cheap seat assessment is a Rd2 DT and Rd4 OC is a much better choice than Rd2 OC and Rd4 DT. You know, in general, on average, usually. We need a dominating DT, we haven’t had one in a very long time and it weakens the entire defense. It’s low odds of finding that guy in Rd4. Rd3 is iffy too - more likely than Rd4 but still not as sure as a Rd2 where odds are high rated DT is still on the board that can be a starter and maybe is dominant.

OC’s are much more interchangeable and replaceable - thats why they tend to be cheaper in FA. Despite the Chargers inability to find a decent backup - blame that on TT - it’s generally not hard for a good GM to find a serviceable OC. Hortiz will be able to fill that hole without spending our 2nd pick imo.

or maybe he thinks like you?

[dmac_bolt]

I wouldn't rule out Joe Alt or even Malik Nabers at #5 either.

My cluster at 5 has 3 names: Bowers, Nabers, and Alt. If they stay there, thats my entire list.

[Boltnut]

My cheap seat assessment is a Rd2 DT and Rd4 OC is a much better choice than Rd2 OC and Rd4 DT. You know, in general, on average, usually. We need a dominating DT, we haven’t had one in a very long time and it weakens the entire defense. It’s low odds of finding that guy in Rd4. Rd3 is iffy too - more likely than Rd4 but still not as sure as a Rd2 where odds are high rated DT is still on the board that can be a starter and maybe is dominant.

OC’s are much more interchangeable and replaceable - thats why they tend to be cheaper in FA. Despite the Chargers inability to find a decent backup - blame that on TT - it’s generally not hard for a good GM to find a serviceable OC. Hortiz will be able to fill that hole without spending our 2nd pick imo.

or maybe he thinks like you?

There are 3 OC's that are vastly better than all the others. By round 4... they're gone.
Why would you spend a 2nd on IDL when you can get one as good in the 3rd...?

[blueman]

My cluster at 5 has 3 names: Bowers, Nabers, and Alt. If they stay there, thats my entire list.

Odunze should be in there IMO.