2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Jack Burton]

Apparently Nabers is the best WR prospect Hortiz has ever seen…

[Jack Burton]

Farrell was right on this one…

[Jack Burton]

Oh boy…

[wu-dai clan]

I'd feel a lot better trading down a bit and choosing Latham or Fuaga instead of taking Alt @#5...for the following reasons:

1. Better a natural RT than hoping a LT transitions successfully to RT.
2. Better physical dudes than a finesse guy (Alt) for our ground game
3. Better RT's who know going in that they'll earn RT money, instead of a LT expecting LT money when contract renewal time comes.
4. Better to trade down and get another pick or picks than to stay @#5...we have a lot of holes to fill
5. I'm still not sold on Alt's footwork to mirror speedy edge rushers.

The PFF Draft Guide was just released.
You might want to have a look.

[Jack Burton]

Harbaugh was going to draft Julio Jones…
But ATL traded up in front of SF by one spot and took him.

https://www.nfl.com/news/jim-harbaugh-49ers-wanted-to-draft-julio-jones-0ap3000000667413

[dmac_bolt]

Farrell was right on this one…

#17? Thats the Jags pick now, I see no scenario we are picking at 17, maybe I need a new vision or maybe he meant ... oh who knows what he meant?

[wu-dai clan]

From the PFF Draft Guide...

Alt is "...good...in run blocking and maintain(s) good drive and leverage off the snap. He is effective in both gap and zone blocking schemes."

[Jack Burton]

#17? Thats the Jags pick now, I see no scenario we are picking at 17, maybe I need a new vision or maybe he meant ... oh who knows what he meant?

it was from the 2022 draft, man.. Zion ended up being the pick. He was right.

[wu-dai clan]

There is a dance that is done every year. You'd think TPB posters would catch on after a few years. Pundits pivot from fantasy football, revenue generating click style takes, back to reality lol.

As said pundits realize that their credibility is at stake, come April they start doing predictive mocks.

In the past week, if one is paying attention, pundits are gravitating towards Alt to LAC @ #5.

It is fun to do mocks and trades at simulators, and that energizes draft interest.

It is clear what we would like the Chargers to do, what our heartfelt opinions are.

My question is this: with winning in mind, what do you really think the Chargers WILL do ?

[Boltnut]

I'm not committed to anyone after Marvin Harrison, Jr. is gone. I like Alt and the three pass-rushers a lot. I don't love them.

Why is Alt a Telesco reach in your mind?

If they truly want to run the ball and protect the QB... then Alt is definitely not a reach.
The latest he goes in mocks is @#7. If we don't take him, the Titans will. The Jets would love to have him @#10. They might even trade up to #5... if they believe we will take him @#5.

In the end, if the Cardinals trade back to #11 and leave MHJ there @#5... let the Cardinals know that he is ours (and Cards are stuck @#11 with the Big-3 off the board). And if they really want him they can trade the #11 and #23 pick to get him.... otherwise, FU... he's ours.

It makes no sense for the Cards to trade back with the Vikings. If anyone is "generational" in this draft, it is MHJ.

[Topcat]

The PFF Draft Guide was just released.
You might want to have a look.

Here u go...Fuaga tops Alt in run blocking:

image.png
image.png

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-highest-graded-offensive-tackles-zone-runs

And also, top IOL prospects:

1. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 2024
Powers-Johnson was far and away the best center in college football this past season. His 87.5 PFF grade was over four points higher than the next-closest FBS center. He also led the nation with an 85.2 PFF run-blocking grade while his 90.6 PFF pass-blocking grade paced all Power Five centers.
While JPJ will likely remain in the middle of the offensive line in the NFL, he’s more than capable of playing guard as well. In 2022, his 85.3 PFF grade was tied for third among all guards in the country. He’s a truly versatile interior offensive lineman with very few holes in his game.

2. Graham Barton, Duke, 2024
Powers-Johnson’s versatility allows him to play three spots along the offensive line. Barton has the capability of playing all five. He started his career at Duke playing center before moving out to left tackle for his final three seasons. Barton is fifth among FBS tackles since 2022 with an 88.7 PFF grade. The three Power Five ones above him are Joe Alt, Taliese Fuaga and Peter Skoronski, who was a top-15 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft while Alt and Fuaga should be the same in 2024. Barton could get a look at tackle in the NFL, but he’ll likely move inside to center or guard.

3. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, 2024
Beebe’s career has been the inverse of Barton’s in that he began at tackle before moving to the interior. No matter where he’s lined up, he’s dominated. His 94.8 PFF pass-blocking grade since 2021 leads all offensive linemen in college football. He was named a PFF second-team All-American in 2022 before making the first team this past season. One of Beebe’s main concerns was his athleticism and how it would translate to the NFL. He put those concerns to bed by testing as a 93rd percentile athlete according to Kent Lee Platte’s relative athletic score. He still has well below-average length for the position, but the tape and athletic testing numbers should make him an easy Day 2 pick.

4. Zach Frazier, West Virginia, 2024
Frazier’s background as a four-time state champion wrestler shows up on his tape. His 83.8 grade on gap runs since 2021 is in the 78th percentile for FBS centers. He’s also one of seven Power Five centers over the last three seasons who have placed top 15 for both pass-blocking and run-blocking grades.
Frazier’s all-around game could have him selected in the first round of the actual 2024 NFL Draft.

5. Parker Brailsford, Alabama, 2025
While at Washington, Brailsford finished 2023 as the second-most valuable center in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 80.7 PFF run-blocking grade was the second-best among Power Five centers, trailing only Powers-Johnson. He’s at his best when he can utilize his elite athleticism out in space, leading all FBS centers in 2023 with a 90.7 PFF grade on zone runs. Brailsford needs some more sand in the pants though as he’s only 275 pounds. The only center in the NFL who’s that light and has played a snap in the last four seasons is Aaron Brewer.

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-the-top-10-interior-offensive-line-prospects-if-everyone-in-college-football-was-eligible

[Jack Burton]

Here u go...Fuaga tops Alt in run blocking:

image.png
image.png

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-highest-graded-offensive-tackles-zone-runs

And also, top IOL prospects:

1. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 2024
Powers-Johnson was far and away the best center in college football this past season. His 87.5 PFF grade was over four points higher than the next-closest FBS center. He also led the nation with an 85.2 PFF run-blocking grade while his 90.6 PFF pass-blocking grade paced all Power Five centers.
While JPJ will likely remain in the middle of the offensive line in the NFL, he’s more than capable of playing guard as well. In 2022, his 85.3 PFF grade was tied for third among all guards in the country. He’s a truly versatile interior offensive lineman with very few holes in his game.

2. Graham Barton, Duke, 2024
Powers-Johnson’s versatility allows him to play three spots along the offensive line. Barton has the capability of playing all five. He started his career at Duke playing center before moving out to left tackle for his final three seasons. Barton is fifth among FBS tackles since 2022 with an 88.7 PFF grade. The three Power Five ones above him are Joe Alt, Taliese Fuaga and Peter Skoronski, who was a top-15 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft while Alt and Fuaga should be the same in 2024. Barton could get a look at tackle in the NFL, but he’ll likely move inside to center or guard.

3. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, 2024
Beebe’s career has been the inverse of Barton’s in that he began at tackle before moving to the interior. No matter where he’s lined up, he’s dominated. His 94.8 PFF pass-blocking grade since 2021 leads all offensive linemen in college football. He was named a PFF second-team All-American in 2022 before making the first team this past season. One of Beebe’s main concerns was his athleticism and how it would translate to the NFL. He put those concerns to bed by testing as a 93rd percentile athlete according to Kent Lee Platte’s relative athletic score. He still has well below-average length for the position, but the tape and athletic testing numbers should make him an easy Day 2 pick.

4. Zach Frazier, West Virginia, 2024
Frazier’s background as a four-time state champion wrestler shows up on his tape. His 83.8 grade on gap runs since 2021 is in the 78th percentile for FBS centers. He’s also one of seven Power Five centers over the last three seasons who have placed top 15 for both pass-blocking and run-blocking grades.
Frazier’s all-around game could have him selected in the first round of the actual 2024 NFL Draft.

5. Parker Brailsford, Alabama, 2025
While at Washington, Brailsford finished 2023 as the second-most valuable center in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 80.7 PFF run-blocking grade was the second-best among Power Five centers, trailing only Powers-Johnson. He’s at his best when he can utilize his elite athleticism out in space, leading all FBS centers in 2023 with a 90.7 PFF grade on zone runs. Brailsford needs some more sand in the pants though as he’s only 275 pounds. The only center in the NFL who’s that light and has played a snap in the last four seasons is Aaron Brewer.

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-the-top-10-interior-offensive-line-prospects-if-everyone-in-college-football-was-eligible

Have you guys watched the tape on Fuaga? It’s at times comical what he does to opposing players. He just rag dolls players around the field.