And With The 5th Pick Of The NFL Draft Chargers Select....Discussion

[DerwinBosa]

How do we know Harbaugh loves Alt? We do know he loves Bowers, he recruited him hard.

That was a weak tackle draft actually when Eric Fisher was the top tackle taken. Actually a very weak draft in general when Eric Fisher taken 1. He was not an elite prospect. Joeckel 2. Dion Jordan a bust at 3. OMG that draft was horrible. The OL was bad thoughout except for Lane Johnson. Fluker was a TT reach.

This is one of the worst drafts I have seen. the 2024 draft is a strong draft. And its not just hindsight. I remember thinking at the time Eric Fisher is about as ho hum as a first pick can possibly be.

Fisher solid career but not eliite
Joeckel bust
Fluker bust
Cooper bust
Warmack bust

Man what a bad draft. The player that shoud have gone first was 27th DeAndre Hopkins, thats how many busts there were

We don't know what Harbaugh thinks of Alt. That was my point. He may like him more than Bowers. We don't know that Harbaugh loves Bowers for this team right now. He recruited a lot of players at Michigan. That doesn't mean he will go hard for all of them once they reach the NFL. One of Pete Carroll's top recruits was Taylor Mays, who played four years for Carroll at USC, and was an All-American safety each season. Guess what? In Carroll's first year in Seattle he chose Earl Thomas in the first round, and Mays dropped to the second, where he was taken by San Francisco. Mays threw a fit afterward.

Going into the 2013 Draft the "experts" were saying the offensive linemen were among the best they ever saw. Luke Joeckel was considered the top prospect by most, and it was a surprise that Reid took Fisher first overall. Lane Johnson was considered an athletic freak with the most upside, and Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper were touted as the best guard prospects to come out in a long time. In hindsight, yes, it did not turn out the way it was expected to go for the players in that first round. The same is true for the 2010 Draft, in which it was supposed to be the deepest in wide receivers in years, with six going in the first round. Only one of them lived up to the hype--Hakeem Nicks, the 29th overall selection. The same could be true in this draft. We won't know until a few years from now.

[DerwinBosa]

You might be dispppointed about the right tackle. I think Harbaugh and Hortiz will draft linemen for sure, but it might not be a high pick for a starting right tackle. We need a center more because we dont have one. We are not getting out of Pipkins contract. They might coach him better than Nugent.They might draft a guard like Minter and kick Salyer out to rght tackle.

Improving our line doesnt have to mean using a high first pick on a right tackle

Problem is Chargers have so many needs. What we dont need QB, LT, K What we do need...whole new RB room, whole new TE room, speed at WR, C RT, DL, Edge, LB, CB, S if no Gilman

I didn't say it did. I said I don't care how it's done. Again, I'm not married to the idea of taking Alt or any other offensive lineman in the first round. I just don't want the continuation of trash at the right tackle position that has occurred at that spot since Jeromey Clary took over about 15 years ago. I'm looking at all of the options for that position if Harbaugh and Hortiz choose to go in that direction. I don't see how Alt is such a bad idea, since there have been many offensive tackles who have changed sides over the years. I mentioned Conklin, Tyron Smith, Ramczyk, Lane Johnson, and Penei Sewell. I forgot Tristan Wirfs, who played right tackle at Iowa, spent his first three seasons in the NFL at right tackle (where he was an All-Pro for two seasons), and switched to left tackle this year, where he was named to the Pro Bowl. We wouldn't be asking Alt to switch to guard or center here.

We also don't have to take a tight end or wide receiver with the fifth overall pick. That's something you don't seem to want to accept.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

I think we all have a reasonable framework for what to expect the Chargers to do at #1:

(1) Trade down for the boatload of draft capital needed to reinforce almost EVERYthing. This is absolutely the most desirable option, but of course requires one of the Top 3 QBs of this class to slip to the #5 spot. Right now, I'd guess there's a 40% chance of this happening...

OR....

(2) Take the BPA at #5, rather than reaching for a lesser player at a position of greater need. Given the distribution of talent in this draft class, that BPA will most likely be a wideout or Brock Bowers.

Between now and draft day? I think it's all about seeing Combine and Pro Day results, and watching who goes up and down the Big Board. It'll be 90 days before it all shakes out.

[beachcomber]

Fuaga's stock seems to be rising now. We don't know where any of these guys will be rated when teams complete their draft boards, but Fuaga is getting a lot of hype now. Today I saw a mock draft in which he was taken sixth overall by the Giants, with Alt going seventh to the Titans.

As I wrote before, I don't care who it is or how it's done. I want at least a top right tackle or pass-rusher out of this draft. That will be a big first step to building the type of team Harbaugh wins with. Get me both a top right tackle and a top pass-rusher and I will be doing backflips.

Caleb Williams * Kyler Murray compare.... is he better than Justin Fields ?? Chi town might be better off going MHJ ??
Jayden Daniels * is he gonna end up the better QB outta the three ??
Marvin Harrison Jr. * more highly rated than the QBs.... CeeDee Lamb compare.... could well be off the board top three.
Rome Odunze * Zierlein has him going to Az w/a Larry Fitzgerald compare.... could he be best of three WRs ??
Drake Maye * fifth pick traded to Atlanta.... calls him boom or bust w/low floor.... labeled inconsistent.
Taliese Fuaga * better pass than run blocker.... better @guard or will need help on edge @RT.... Taylor Decker compare.
Joe Alt * Mike McGlinchey/Eric Fisher compare.... could be susceptible to power/bull rush.
Terrion Arnold * a Charger w/a Marshon Lattimore compare.... less reliable/consistent than Kool Aid, but better cover corner ??
Malik Nabers * Justin Jefferson compare.... w/some Ja'Marr to him as well ??
JC Latham * Jawaan Taylor compare.... run blocker that sounds like he has issues as pass blocker.
Jared Verse * LaMarr Woodley compare.... safe, high impact prospect.... without desired length.
JJ McCarthy * to Denver/Sean Payton.... elite processor.... a little erratic otherwise ??
Byron Murphy * Telesco's first Raiduh selection w/Ed Oliver compare.... disruptive.
Laiatu Latu * pass rush technician w/TJ Watt compare.... most skilled pass rusher.... Pro Bowler who sheds blocks.
Brock Bowers * safety blanket @235 lbs w/George Kittle compare.... prolific + YAC ability.... productive but lacks premium measurables.
Dallas Turner * Brian Burns compare.... a projection.... struggles to shed blocks.... more athlete than production atm.
Quinyon Mitchell * Steven Nelson compare.... sounds like he's got some Jammer to his game ??
Olumuyiwa Fashanu * mid first rounder w/a Cam Robinson compare.... a projection w/pass pro not as developed as some surmise.
Nate Wiggins * Tyson Campbell compare.... Pro Bowler and top cover corner.... doesn't have so much dawg to him tho.
Amarius Mims * Donovan Smith compare.... inconsistent developmental prospect.... just eight starts.
Graham Barton * safer than not gambit w/Cody Whitehair compare.... OC prospect w/good technique, consistency & effort.
Kool Aid McKinstry * solid CB w/AJ Terrell compare.... consistent cover corner that takes care of his biz.... good mindset & punt returner too.
Chop Robinson * Micah Parsons compare.... electric and can set edge.... modest production.
Troy Fautanu * brawler whose technique could be coached up.
Tyler Guyton * pass pro guy w/injury history.... can play on either side.
Ennis Rakestraw * Roger McCreary compare.... 'nother Jammer style CB w/some injuries on his resume.
Jackson Powers Johnson * avg starter w/Quinn Meinerz compare.... not sure why Zierlein isn't higher on this guy ??
Brian Thomas Jr. * could be very adequate No. 2 receiver that causes trouble for Ds, 'specially deep ??
Darius Robinson * Desmond Bryant/Keion White compare.... might be more a SB media darling than longterm contributor ??
Bo Nix * Ravens deal late pick to Pats for Tony Romo compare.... accurate passer who stats might demand greater scrutiny ??
Roman Wilson * Marvin Mims compare.... speedy wideout who was perhaps hampered by Michigan's scheme ??
Ja'Tavion Sanders * David Njoku compare.... pass catching TE w/promise.

[perryao]

We use the 5th pick on a RT tackle when you can trade down and have a plethora of good tackles to choose from, including a couple who actually are right tackles? This is the deepest tackle draft in years.

Don't know. Did Baltimore trade down? I'm thinking you can get an idea of Hortiz's style from what they do in Balt.

[beachcomber]

Zierlein's second rounders.... Jer'Zhan Newton, Cooper DeJean, Keon Coleman, Troy Franklin, Bralen Trice, Kamari Lassiter, Michael Penix Jr., Kingsley Suamataia.

[Chargers8491]

Don't know. Did Baltimore trade down? I'm thinking you can get an idea of Hortiz's style from what they do in Balt.

IIRC, they did a lot of trading down in mid rnds. Could be wrong but seem to remember they stacked mid rnd picks.

[sonorajim]

I think we all have a reasonable framework for what to expect the Chargers to do at #1:

(1) Trade down for the boatload of draft capital needed to reinforce almost EVERYthing. This is absolutely the most desirable option, but of course requires one of the Top 3 QBs of this class to slip to the #5 spot. Right now, I'd guess there's a 40% chance of this happening...

OR....

(2) Take the BPA at #5, rather than reaching for a lesser player at a position of greater need. Given the distribution of talent in this draft class, that BPA will most likely be a wideout or Brock Bowers.

Between now and draft day? I think it's all about seeing Combine and Pro Day results, and watching who goes up and down the Big Board. It'll be 90 days before it all shakes out.

BPA and Need are hard to separate if BPA happens to be a position you have top players at already. We'll take WR, Bowers or trade down. We have only one top receiving target and he's aging. We can get good guys later but Herbert's top receivers add Ws.

[Boltnut]

what do they do with pipkins, they can't cut or trade him due to cap reasons and he'd be getting paid almost 8mil to be the swing tackle in your scenario?

Would you rather have Sarrell backing up Salyer @RT or Slater @LT should someone get hurt?
The contract was stupid. He'll be on the roster no matter what. Do you want him starting?
He can be cut next year for cap savings.

[wu-dai clan]

I see.
This board is shaping logic to fit the rationalization of drafting their guy.
I guess we are to ignore the numerous pundit mocks that have Bowers going in the teens.
We have the chance now to stay at #5 and draft Alt,
instead of getting stuck with Fluker.
SMH.
All those years where Rivers did not have a quality offensive line.
I can remember a playoff game at Denver,
where an injury to ORT Jeromey Clary was the only thing that kept us from beating Manning's Donkeys,
and maybe winning a Super Bowl.
You see, Denver had bookends and could match up with Clary's replacement.
You know, ORT, the position Lane Johnson (taken #4 overall) plays.
Have us Charger fans not learned anything in the past decade ?

[CanadianBoltFan]

I didn't say it did. I said I don't care how it's done. Again, I'm not married to the idea of taking Alt or any other offensive lineman in the first round. I just don't want the continuation of trash at the right tackle position that has occurred at that spot since Jeromey Clary took over about 15 years ago. I'm looking at all of the options for that position if Harbaugh and Hortiz choose to go in that direction. I don't see how Alt is such a bad idea, since there have been many offensive tackles who have changed sides over the years. I mentioned Conklin, Tyron Smith, Ramczyk, Lane Johnson, and Penei Sewell. I forgot Tristan Wirfs, who played right tackle at Iowa, spent his first three seasons in the NFL at right tackle (where he was an All-Pro for two seasons), and switched to left tackle this year, where he was named to the Pro Bowl. We wouldn't be asking Alt to switch to guard or center here.

We also don't have to take a tight end or wide receiver with the fifth overall pick. That's something you don't seem to want to accept.

My preference is Bowers, Nabers, Odunze at 5 ( we really cant lose sight either that the most important player in our franchise needs weapons beyond a 31 year old great possession receiver with a massive cap hit while in the rare position to get elite options) or trade down for a tackle or CB for extra draft picks.

But you are right we really dont know what Harbaugh and Hortiz will decide to do. The obvious options for value at 5 look like Bowers, Nabers, Odunze, Alt. I think its one of those 4 barring trade down. I dont think it is a bad thing if we take Alt, but I think we will be drafting lineman every draft from now on.Plenty of chance to get good linemen. I just believe a baller like Bowers doesnt come along very often. You want a culture changer who plays hard and physical, can block, awesome hands and runs 4.48 he is your guy. I think he would be a blast to watch the next bunch of years. We have no one who breaks tackles and gets YAC. Everett a little but he is pretty pedestrain at the position really. He has one season of 500 yards in a 7 year career, and that isnt even a good benchmark for good TEs.

At this point, before combine, I maintain I dont see a defensive player worth a top 5 pick. The 4 I see are Bowers, Nabers, Odunze, Alt. I dont hate Alt as a pick, its just my least favorite.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I see.
This board is shaping logic to fit the rationalization of drafting their guy.
I guess we are to ignore the numerous pundit mocks that have Bowers going in the teens.
We have chance now to stay at #5 and draft Alt,
instead of getting stuck with Fluker.
SMH.
All those years where Rivers did not have a quality offensive line.
I can remember a playoff game at Denver,
where an injury to ORT Jeromey Clary was the only thing that kept us from beating Manning's Donkeys,
and maybe winning a Super Bowl.

Gonna have to disgree with you take on the "numerous pundits". Bowers is occasionally in the teens in mock drafts but i woudnt call it numerous. He is , by far, the most mocked player to the Chargers at 5