2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[CanadianBoltFan]

Draft a RT late. Like everybody does.

Yup

We can go on about Pipkins and it is not a stretch to say we can do better at RT, but that doesnt mean it has to be done with the 5th overall pick, certainly not in the of the deepest tackle drafts in recent memory.

[jamrock]

The point is the Chiefs have invested most of their first-round picks on both sides of the line. They haven't invested any first-round picks in wide receivers or tight ends. Why do you think that is?

This isnt even true during the Reid era. They've drafted 1 OL in the first.

[Boltnut]

Point is, it needs fixing. Whether that means with players or coaching. We know we will get new OCs.
Salyer can't be starting next year at RG. Sure he can Improve and will get his looks with the new OL coach but he was a better OT. Move him back. Not saying he needs to start, he just may need to move. We can't wait for him if we want to run the ball next season. He ,aynemd up as depth at OG or OT. Upgrade the interior now. OC and OG in the draft.

We will not start 3 rookies on the OL. One of OC and OG may be a FA. Id say RT but those cost more.

Zion shouldn't of had a worse 2nd season back at his normal position. I'm going to say better coaching may fix things for the better alone. And that also means for Pipkins as well. He was better in 2022 with an injured knee than he was last season.

You look at your weakest spots and go from there. If they draft a RT at 5 or 8 , then cool. That's what they have decided after watching tape of our OL. Maybe they decide another area is weakest after some roster moves for which they haven't made yet.

You know i want Bowers but I'm not stuck enough to not know they won't upgrade the OL,and DL so I know anything can happen. Depends on upcoming moves. I know what they want to do, just depends on how they do it.

And you are not going to be able to fix everything in one year. Some positions will need upgrading in next year's draft. IMO, Zion's and Salyer's problems were in recognition of stunts and blitzes... not a physical thing... a coaching and recognition thing. Whereas, Pipkins problems are physical... feet, balance, and reaction problems. As he got bigger, he got top-heavy and slower. He is way over-paid for his limited talents. He has had way more time to develop than Zion/Salyer. If Salyer can't hack-it this year... then replace in 2025. #5-20 is the perfect place to replace RT. We may never draft this low again (hopefully)... and the OT group is unusually talented at the top this year... especially @RT.

[jamrock]

The greatest offensive mind in the game is a trencher.
🧐🤫

We've used more 1st round picks on OL in the last 3 years than Andy Reid has in 10 years at KC

[Topcat]

There less than a handful of NFL RTs that don't need help against Crosby. You should watch more Raider games to see how teams handle
Crosby.

On the other hand we need another receiver not named Allen that we can rely on.

Now whether Pipkins, Alt, Sayler or some other guy plays RT, I'll guarantee you our O line plays better from day 1 in 2024. Want to know why?
We finally have a real HC and supporting staff that knows what they are doing.

Well SJ, you've got THAT right, that's fer sure...still, I'd like to hedge my bets and either draft another RT somewhere in early or mid rounds, AND/OR sign a decent vet who can back up at T and G...or a C-G swing...don't want to go into another season with backups like Clapp and Jaimes...and Storm...

[Topcat]

And you are not going to be able to fix everything in one year. Some positions will need upgrading in next year's draft. IMO, Zion's and Salyer's problems were in recognition of stunts and blitzes... not a physical thing... a coaching and recognition thing. Whereas, Pipkins problems are physical... feet, balance, and reaction problems. As he got bigger, he got top-heavy and slower. He is way over-paid for his limited talents. He has had way more time to develop than Zion/Salyer. If Salyer can't hack-it this year... then replace in 2025. #5-20 is the perfect place to replace RT. We may never draft this low again (hopefully)... and the OT group is unusually talented at the top this year... especially @RT.

Actually, we DO have an OUT with Pip's deal after the 2024 season:

image.png

[Boltnut]

Actually, we DO have an OUT with Pip's deal after the 2024 season:

image.png

I'm pretty sure I said that. If I didn't... I meant to. It's hard to see Pip ever living up to the $9.25m salary in 2025.

[Boltjolt]

And you are not going to be able to fix everything in one year. Some positions will need upgrading in next year's draft. IMO, Zion's and Salyer's problems were in recognition of stunts and blitzes... not a physical thing... a coaching and recognition thing. Whereas, Pipkins problems are physical... feet, balance, and reaction problems. As he got bigger, he got top-heavy and slower. He is way over-paid for his limited talents. He has had way more time to develop than Zion/Salyer. If Salyer can't hack-it this year... then replace in 2025. #5-20 is the perfect place to replace RT. We may never draft this low again (hopefully)... and the OT group is unusually talented at the top this year... especially @RT.

No doubt, we won't. But they will do their best to compete so that's why i say depends on what they do before the draft.
They may do things we aren't expecting. The start of the new season year and FAcy is going to be as much anticipation as the draft. We may actually see some trades. Telesco never did that.

[Boltnut]

Beating the Chiefs does not involving trying to do what they do, only better.

The way to beat the Chiefs is to do something different than what they do, namely run the football and manage the clock, tempo.

It says it right there in the Jim Harbaugh Experience users manual..."impose our will".

Don't pay attention to the draft grades you get at PFF or NFL Mock Draft Database or the Buzz.

Think of what we are turning into, and that is where our personnel challenge begins.

If you are not confident that we can find a replacement for MW, or an OT that makes Pipkins hear footsteps, or a Center that succeeds Linsley, on day three, then you are not paying enough attention to details.

You got most of it correct... run the F-ing ball. He has said it over and over again.
I think your confidence in late round centers and OT's is misguided.
As for WR's... I agree. The class is deep. They won't replace MW, though. But, they won't have to.

The other thing Harbaugh has said over and over again... we like our WR group.

[Boltnut]

No doubt, we won't. But they will do their best to compete so that's why i say depends on what they do before the draft.
They may do things we aren't expecting. The start of the new season year and FAcy is going to be as much anticipation as the draft. We may actually see some trades. Telesco never did that.

I agree... see what happens around March 13th.
I suspect @edge may be some surprises. I think Minter envisions something different.
I'm hoping for TE and RB free agents. Best bang for the buck. Maybe a veteran OG.

[SAY OW 55]

I’m a maverick Here me out.

I would draft Luke McCafrey and develop him as a running back. I would make him our running back. Figure it out. I think with Harbaugh coaching he could do it.

[DerwinBosa]

This isnt even true during the Reid era. They've drafted 1 OL in the first.

I said BOTH sides of the line. On the offensive line they spent the first overall pick on Eric Fisher. In 2021 they traded their first-round pick for Orlando Brown. They also used second-round picks on Mitch Morse and Creed Humphrey. They signed Joe Thuney to a five-year, $80 million contract in 2021. They signed Jawaan Taylor to a four-year, $80 million contract last year. They let Tyreek Hill go after the 2021 season and replaced him with Juju Smith-Schuster on a cheap, one-year deal and Marquez Valdez-Scantling on a three-year, $30 million deal. Smith-Schuster left after last season for more money in New England.

They've used first-round picks on Dee Ford, George Karlaftis, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. They traded the 2019 first-round pick for Frank Clark.

Add it up, and that's six first-round picks dedicated to both sides of the line. ZERO for wide receivers and tight ends. The $160 million they spent on Thuney and Taylor is about four times as much as they spent on Smith-Schuster and Valdez-Scantling. It's not hard to see that Reid values offensive and defensive linemen over weapons.

Never mind that he did the same thing in Philadelphia.