2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[dmac_bolt]

And I'm sure Hortiz wants everyone to know what his plans are. LOL. He's not lying. He's talking in general.

I’m sure he’s typed it up and faxed it to all the 31 other teams, agree.

I’d note that if the plan is other teams draft WRs and the cut there existing WRs, that sounds like a plan to wait for a bunch of WR4s and WR5s to hit the FA market. Joe ain’t that dumb - he knows that teams won’t start cutting their star WRs if they draft a rookie, they will cut their scrub bottom roster filler receivers.

[sonorajim]

We first start with what we need. Next would be needed upgrades. Finally what we want.

In terms of need I would say C, CB, IDL, LB and WR
In terms of upgrades I would say RB, RT, OG, LB, TE
In terms of want I would say: Safety, FB, Edge

That's why a trade back is a reasonable assumption.
Where we have some disagreement is over need. We actually don't need a RT. Pipkins wasn't as bad as
you make him out to be. We definitely can use an upgrade at RT. But there may be one already on the
roster and you don't necessarily pick a RT @5 when a generation WR maybe there. Because of all the
needs trading down could be the best option.

There are other reasons why a OT @5 may not make sense for us. Slater is our LT and due for a big contract.
If we take Alt, we may decide to move him to LT and slide Slater over to RT. How do you think Slater is going
to feel about that? If we take an OT @11, I don't think anybody is going to complain, myself included.

So if we ass-u-me we get #11 and #23 if it were up to me I'd go BPA @ 11, if it's a RT no problem. @23 I'd go CB.
2nd round a C or IDL, 3rd round LB, C, IDL or RB, 4th RB, IDL, LB, TE 5th-7th backups for OL, DL QB.

There are many guys on this forum that know way more than I do when it comes to college players. I just watch
a game or two on Saturdays. That's usually the SEC, Big Ten, Pac12 or whatever the big game of the week is.
I can pick out some of the outstanding players, but going beyond the 3rd round is a real crap shoot.

"Need" or upgrade required is arguable. We know very little of what Harbaugh & co think of the existing player. We know what fans and bloggers think, coaches? not in fact.
Weak roster numbers exist at WR and CB. IMO it's safe to say we'll add some. With Dobbins still a maybe, RB slides for now. I'd take an Ol just 'cause some great guys are available.
IDL by rd 4. Mostly I think BPA from H2's board. Guessing what they think? Whatever.

[dmac_bolt]

B...had to think about it...so, what does that mean in reference to us all not understanding our new scheme?

Its important. Sock and shoe here …

[sonorajim]

Wouldn't you like to know who Herbert would like? That would be nice to know.

I'd bet it's MHJ, Nabers or Bowers. Give him an open receiver with good hands and he can help his blockers out.

[Boltnut]

We first start with what we need. Next would be needed upgrades. Finally what we want.

In terms of need I would say C, CB, IDL, LB and WR
In terms of upgrades I would say RB, RT, OG, LB, TE
In terms of want I would say: Safety, FB, Edge

That's why a trade back is a reasonable assumption.
Where we have some disagreement is over need. We actually don't need a RT. Pipkins wasn't as bad as
you make him out to be. We definitely can use an upgrade at RT. But there may be one already on the
roster and you don't necessarily pick a RT @5 when a generation WR maybe there. Because of all the
needs trading down could be the best option.

There are other reasons why a OT @5 may not make sense for us. Slater is our LT and due for a big contract.
If we take Alt, we may decide to move him to LT and slide Slater over to RT. How do you think Slater is going
to feel about that? If we take an OT @11, I don't think anybody is going to complain, myself included.

So if we ass-u-me we get #11 and #23 if it were up to me I'd go BPA @ 11, if it's a RT no problem. @23 I'd go CB.
2nd round a C or IDL, 3rd round LB, C, IDL or RB, 4th RB, IDL, LB, TE 5th-7th backups for OL, DL QB.

There are many guys on this forum that know way more than I do when it comes to college players. I just watch
a game or two on Saturdays. That's usually the SEC, Big Ten, Pac12 or whatever the big game of the week is.
I can pick out some of the outstanding players, but going beyond the 3rd round is a real crap shoot.

Those are fair assessments... we disagree on WR need and RT need, though.
Glad to hear you realize the value in a trade-back. CB, IDL, and LB are big needs.
I could see CB, LB, or IDL @#23, 37, and 69.
@center, Bozeman was an above average center when playing in Roman's blocking scheme (73.6 pff).

@RT: Pipkins had a 59.2 pff (2022) and 62.8 pff (2023). Those are mediocre grades for a team that wants to run the ball and protect the QB.
@WR: Palmer had a 65.5 pff (2022) and 67.6 pff (2023). Those are better grades for a team that wants a balanced offense.
@WR: Quentin Johnston had a 58.9 pff (2023). I think we can all agree that needs to improve. But rookie WR's often struggle.

So am I more concerned about a 62.8 RT in his 6th year... or a 58.9 receiver in his 2nd year...?
The coaches have said the run (balanced offense) will help Herbert. This has to be extended to their thinking on WR's also.

If the mantra is "run better and protect the QB" then I think Joe Alt is neck-and-neck with Nabers @#5 (especially considering that Slater's extension looms large in 1-2 years). @#11... BPA is between Fuaga and Bowers (with the #4WR trailing far behind).

With huge needs @LB, IDL, and CB... I suggest you take a look at 4th round WR's... you may be pleasantly surprised. Also consider that the GM and coaches have said they'll be taking a hard look at FA receivers before/after the draft.

[wu-dai clan]

Its important. Sock and shoe here …

Well, our new scheme is designed to "create conflict"...perfect.

[Velo]

Lol, no shit. Some of the stuff is SME stuff to. A lot of certainty out there

I just watched a video by Colin Cowherd opining that Harbaugh will trade down if he can, and that would be best play because of Harbaugh's knowledge of this draft class, all the Chargers need to do is plug a few holes in this draft and they will be ready to compete for it all this season. It was kind of convincing. lol

[Boltnut]

“Run the ball” and “protect the QB” can both be easily upgraded with picks in the lower rounds (yes, we are just that bad). Even better upgrade with higher picks? Sure, but we are missing starters everywhere and I believe Horitz when he says draft BPA.

We have enough picks to address most if not all of our needs on both sides of the ball, only JH2 know what round each will get, but most likely only the day of the pick lol. Gotta let it play out.

Have any specific ideas on pass protectors and run blockers in the later rounds...?
I have a few WR's I like in the 4th round. Any suggestions on 4th round RT's...?

Without a trade-back we are a couple picks short of meeting our needs IMO. LB, IDL, and CB are all needs.

[Jack Burton]

I just watched a video by Colin Cowherd opining that Harbaugh will trade down if he can, and that would be best play because of Harbaugh's knowledge of this draft class, all the Chargers need to do is plug a few holes in this draft and they will be ready to compete for it all this season. It was kind of convincing. lol

He’s kinda right. There isn’t a HC in this draft who knows these players better than Harbaugh. He just coached and coached against a bunch of them and spent 10 years recruiting them sitting at kitchen tables, and watching tape all the way back to their high school tape.
Pete Carroll did the same thing when he went to SEA. He immediately had great success because he knew all the college players as he recruited and watched them. That’s how the Legion Of Boom and Wilson were drafted and taken in the mid rounds of consecutive drafts.

Trading down doesn’t mean they don’t trade back up. I see them trading down, and then making a minor trade back up to get a weapon they covet, and then trade down again with 23 if they got 11 and 23.

[Velo]

He’s kinda right. There isn’t a HC in this draft who knows these players better than Harbaugh. He just coached and coached against a bunch of them and spent 10 years recruiting them sitting at kitchen tables, and watching tape all the way back to their high school tape.
Pete Carroll did the same thing when he went to SEA. He immediately had great success because he knew all the college players as he recruited and watched them. That’s how the Legion Of Boom and Wilson were drafted and taken in the mid rounds of consecutive drafts.

Trading down doesn’t mean they don’t trade back up. I see them trading down, and then making a minor trade back up to get a weapon they covet, and then trade down again with 23 if they got 11 and 23.

My biggest concern is replacing the No. 1 & 2 WRs. Maybe they can do that on day 2 if they get extra picks. It's hard to believe there is talent equal to Nabers or MHJ on day 2 or even lower in the 1st round. But it does often play out the best WRs in a draft are in rnds 2-3, and if anybody knows where the talent lies is Harbaugh.

[Chargers8491]

Have any specific ideas on pass protectors and run blockers in the later rounds...?
I have a few WR's I like in the 4th round. Any suggestions on 4th round RT's...?

Without a trade-back we are a couple picks short of meeting our needs IMO. LB, IDL, and CB are all needs.

This guy might be a 3rd rnd guy. I posted in another thread but will leave it here too. the links are his 2023 highlights and his combine highlights.

Patrick Paul Houston, OT, 6'7, 331 Lbs. He played LT @ Houston. Could play swing tackle and be an eventual starter @ RT.

Patrick Paul Left Tackle Highlights - YouTube

Patrick Paul Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

[beachcomber]

This guy might be a 3rd rnd guy. I posted in another thread but will leave it here too. the links are his 2023 highlights and his combine highlights.

Patrick Paul Houston, OT, 6'7, 331 Lbs. He played LT @ Houston. Could play swing tackle and be an eventual starter @ RT.

Patrick Paul Left Tackle Highlights - YouTube

Patrick Paul Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

took a likin' to him as well for a bit, and.... just not sure 'bout him, and would rather not repeat the Pips experiment and garner another avg tackle to put in charge of protecting the franchise.

as I've volunteered a time or coupla few.... GMing ain't easy.

back in 2019 when Pips got drafted, my choice was Yodny Cajuste, and was (very) disappointed that we passed on him for some unknown D2 guy, and.... Cajuste has moved around teams, been on the ps, and is now the backup LT in NY behind Andrew Thomas, and so.... just tough nailing all your pix.

I like Paul some, and.... would feel alot better 'bout Fuaga, as again.... am an intangibles guy, and just like his better than the pass catchers and Alt's.... ??