2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[dmac_bolt]

My pointing out that Reid has used the majority of his first-round picks on linemen has not been about my wanting to take Joe Alt fifth overall. As I've stated before, my greatest hope for this draft is trading back and taking an offensive tackle (Fuaga) or a pass-rusher (Latu, Verse, or Turner). We've been a team that has gotten its ass kicked at the line of scrimmage for years. We just hired an excellent head coach whose teams have won big while kicking ass up front on both sides of the ball, and so many on this forum are acting like it's idiotic to address the offensive or defensive line in the first round simply because they're in love with Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, or Brock Bowers.

I agree that defensive tackle is a huge need for us. Again, however, there isn't one who seems to be worth a top-20 pick in this draft. There doesn't seem to be an Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Quinnen Williams, or Jeffery Simmons. Maybe we'll pick a defensive tackle in the second round, such as Kris Jenkins, and we'll be pleasantly surprised to see him turn out like Chris Jones, who was drafted in the second.

I'm not sure I consider edge (DE) as trench vs skill player but thats ok, its a quibble and maybe i'm wrong.

He only took 2 OL in that span. OL is 5/22 starters ~ 25% of the starting team, he used less picks than that so nothing jumps out as him hugely investing his top picks in OL at all. Note he took interior OL late in Rd1 too, which is where the interior OL often go after the premium skill players all disappear off the board. he didn't have Top 5 picks, so apples and oranges almost.

I am not seeing ANYONE calling for him to take a DT with our first pick - nobody. not you, not anyone. But IDL - I'll get my trashcan and bat out again ...

WE GOT NO IDL!!!

[Formula 21]

If I had to guess 1 Michigan player that will be drafted by the Chargers and he’s there at 37, it will be Kris Jenkins. For some reason after hearing Jim Harbaugh mention Jenkins in that Harbaughism interview with his brother, I just have a feeling.

I can’t imagine the Bolts not going C at 37. It’s the biggest hole on the team. It has to get filled.

[wu-dai clan]

3. Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

I believe Davis has feature-back potential. His game reminds me a lot of former Minnesota Vikingsgreat Robert Smith. At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Davis has the requisite size and skill combination that yields itself to him being someone's lead back. Over the course of his career with the Jackrabbits, he's also shown he has a knack for making the big play at the right time.

Robert Turbin really liked the way he looked in the drills at the Combine.

It seems a player of this profile gets drafted late every year and does well.

[dmac_bolt]

Not really. Not when you realize what Harbaugh wants to do. He's said it over and over again... he wants to run the ball, protect the QB, and play defense. He specifically brought in Greg Roman to help him run the ball. When Harbaugh and Roman were together in SF, they had 2 first round tackles playing for them... so it's not "AJ level incompetence" to believe they may want that again. The whole offense runs through the QB and the OL. They help you run, they help you pass, They help you control the ball in the 4th quarter and ice the game... help you keep MaHommes on the bench the last 5 minutes of the game.

The biggest reason you trade back, though... the extra picks help you build the defense. The #2 and #3 defenses just played in the Super Bowl. Defense still win championships. If you can get an extra 2nd rounder... and pair that 2nd round center with a 2nd round DT. Well, now you've started to understand that Harbaugh/Minter/Roman philosophy of "build from the inside out". An extra 3rd rounder gets you a LB that can do all of the things Minter needs them to do. An extra 4th rounder may get you that RB, WR or TE you crave... but at a much better cost/value. And those "lesser" playmakers have a better OL to run through anyways.

The trade back to #10-14 just makes too much sense when you consider the totality of it all.

I'm not saying taking Alt is the best move, nor the worst. Its not my favorite move but I'm ok if thats what they decide.

But Harbaugh is nothing like AJ - for AJ's entire tenure, his philosophy was to fill the OL on the cheap. He was vocal about it, what did he draft - 1 second rd OL pick his tenure? (apologies if I misremember, don't have time to look it up)

[dmac_bolt]

3. Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

I believe Davis has feature-back potential. His game reminds me a lot of former Minnesota Vikingsgreat Robert Smith. At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Davis has the requisite size and skill combination that yields itself to him being someone's lead back. Over the course of his career with the Jackrabbits, he's also shown he has a knack for making the big play at the right time.

I think his tape looks meh, personally. JAG+. not a star. i'm not a pro scout, i could be wrong. He played against the equivalent of JuCo players, thats what jumps out the most in tape to me. This feels like the next 6 year Pipkins experiment, I'd look for a guy that played real D1 caliber defenses and has a chance against NFL defenders on day 1. There are several that are faster, more elusive, and better prepared.

[dmac_bolt]

Cameron Heyward is the son of Craig Heyward.

Cameron Jordon is the son of Steve Jordan.

Patrick Surtain is the son of Pat Surtain.

You get the picture. Joe Alt is the son of John Alt. There's a bloodline component that gives Alt a credibility that a majority of other prospects DON'T possess.

That said, it would appear that this draft class provides better value than Joe Alt through the first eight selections. IMO.

Did MH2 have a dad?

[Formula 21]

Cameron Heyward is the son of Craig Heyward.

Cameron Jordon is the son of Steve Jordan.

Patrick Surtain is the son of Pat Surtain.

You get the picture. Joe Alt is the son of John Alt. There's a bloodline component that gives Alt a credibility that a majority of other prospects DON'T possess.

That said, it would appear that this draft class provides better value than Joe Alt through the first eight selections. IMO.

If you need a LT, Alt provides great value. A case could be made that he is overkill at 5 for RT.

[wu-dai clan]

Jeremiah has mentioned Fuaga on a trade down.

Recently, he touted a best trade down of Fautanu. Play him at ORG for one year, with "functional" Pipkins at ORT, finishing his contract.

Yes a trade down is the winning play.

But it is next to impossible to present a solid case for passing on MHJ, Nabers, BB or Odunze. This will be debated around here for years.

And for the life of me, I do not understand the purported legitimacy of bagging on Joe Alt. Nowhere worth mentioning is he mocked below @ #8. Show me you don't watch tape, without saying you don't watch tape.

[Formula 21]

I think his tape looks meh, personally. JAG+. not a star. i'm not a pro scout, i could be wrong. He played against the equivalent of JuCo players, thats what jumps out the most in tape to me. This feels like the next 6 year Pipkins experiment, I'd look for a guy that played real D1 caliber defenses and has a chance against NFL defenders on day 1. There are several that are faster, more elusive, and better prepared.

He was just so much better than his competition that he made them look bad. That’s what I see.

[wu-dai clan]

Conversely I will not stop looking for late and very late value at OT/WR.

Dallas Turner is within striking range @ #5.
Jared Verse compares to Khalil Mack, should we trade him.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

If you need a LT, Alt provides great value. A case could be made that he is overkill at 5 for RT.

I agree. Great value for a team needing a left tackle. Less so for the Chargers because he'd be making a switch to RT. That's a gamble in itself.

It's why on *my* draft board, there's better value for the Chargers through 8 picks.

[Velo]

Jeremiah has mentioned Fuaga on a trade down.

Jeremiah also has some mighty fine wine.