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

[CanadianBoltFan]

Better question is who will be worth more $$$ in FA Alt, or Bowers?
If you look back at the 2018 draft which all hit FA last year, each top 10 guy signed deals that make more annually than the top TE in the league with the exception of the QB busts (Darnold, Rosen) and Saquon Barkley.

Obviously the premium salary positions are QB, LT, Edge, CB. We can get a good RT solution in a very deep OT draft without the salary of a top 5 drafted tackle....after all we are sitting 45 million above the cap for next year.

[DerwinBosa]

You realize that tackle rival WRs as the most stacked position in this draft right? You cant forsee giving Herbert a difference making playmaker that brings some YAC to this plodding offense like Bowers or Nabers, and take a good RT at 37? Or trade down for the many other options ..Fuaga, Guyton, Latham, Mims, Morgan, Fautanu....

No need to use 5th to take a RT

There is no guarantee that any of the offensive tackle prospects you mentioned will be there at 37. Even if there is one in the second round, you're betting a lot that he's going to fix your problem at right tackle over the one you liked better in the first.

I'm not married to the idea of an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick. I'm also very intrigued with the three pass-rushers. I won't be disgusted if we draft Bowers or Nabers, but after watching Michigan closely since Harbaugh took over that program I believe the focus should be on building up both sides of the line. The best wide receiver Harbaugh had in the NFL was Michael Crabtree. The best tight end he had in San Francisco was Vernon Davis, who caught 41 passes the year Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. There were no stars at tight end or wide receiver for the Wolverines when Harbaugh was head coach. That same was true when he coached at Stanford, even when he had Andrew Luck. Harbaugh wins by building more physical teams that dominate the line of scrimmage. If you're going to take a tight end or wide receiver fifth overall instead of what you think is the best offensive lineman or pass-rusher in the draft, that pass-catcher better be great. Since I don't see Bowers or Nabers being a "generational talent" you and others believe, I'm more interested in Alt, trading down for Fuaga (if that's even a possibility), and the three pass-rushers.

It's very early in the draft process, so we know very little. The combine is in a couple of weeks. We're going to hear and read about prospects' stocks rising and falling for the next two months. Personally, I don't see any reason to be convinced that anyone HAS to be the fifth overall pick by Harbaugh and Hortiz.

[CanadianBoltFan]

There is no guarantee that any of the offensive tackle prospects you mentioned will be there at 37. Even if there is one in the second round, you're betting a lot that he's going to fix your problem at right tackle over the one you liked better in the first.

I'm not married to the idea of an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick. I'm also very intrigued with the three pass-rushers. I won't be disgusted if we draft Bowers or Nabers, but after watching Michigan closely since Harbaugh took over that program I believe the focus should be on building up both sides of the line. The best wide receiver Harbaugh had in the NFL was Michael Crabtree. The best tight end he had in San Francisco was Vernon Davis, who caught 41 passes the year Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. There were no stars at tight end or wide receiver for the Wolverines when Harbaugh was head coach. That same was true when he coached at Stanford, even when he had Andrew Luck. Harbaugh wins by building more physical teams that dominate the line of scrimmage. If you're going to take a tight end or wide receiver fifth overall instead of what you think is the best offensive lineman or pass-rusher in the draft, that pass-catcher better be great. Since I don't see Bowers or Nabers being a "generational talent" you and others believe, I'm more interested in Alt, trading down for Fuaga (if that's even a possibility), and the three pass-rushers.

It's very early in the draft process, so we know very little. The combine is in a couple of weeks. We're going to hear and read about prospects' stocks rising and falling for the next two months. Personally, I don't see any reason to be convinced that anyone HAS to be the fifth overall pick by Harbaugh and Hortiz.

Fair enough. All we really talk about is who we personally want with the pick. Thats the fun of it.

Regarding 49ers, that was a decade ago, the NFL game is not the same. Harbaugh has never had a Justin Herbert in the NFL either. Even Harbaugh with his power run game is going to want to unleash Hebert with explosive plays. How about we get some exposive weapons that will be deadly with Herbert.

Harbaugh loves his TES though and he recruited Bowers hard.

[DerwinBosa]

I don't think RT v LT is as cut&dry as it used to be. Lane Johnson and Penei Sewell seem to indicate that.
All I know is that Pipkins should not be trusted to protect Justin Herbert... and Harbaugh believes that is job #1.
I'll let him decide how to do that. It wouldn't have to be the #5 pick.
But @#5, the BPA will most likely be Alt. And that's what you do with the #5 pick.
I too would try like hell to trade back... over and over again I've said this.

Jack Conklin is another one. Drafted eighth overall by the Titans in 2016. He's signed two big contracts with the Cleveland Browns. He's a two-time All-Pro. Injuries have gotten in the way of him getting the recognition he deserves, though. Ryan Ramczyk has been a three-time All-Pro at right tackle for the Saints. He was drafted 32nd overall by New Orleans in 2017 and signed a 5-year, $96 million contract extension in 2021. Penei Sewell is about to get a huge contract from the Lions.

If we get a right tackle like one of those guys, our offensive line will be dominant.

[Fouts2herbert]

If the Chargers want a RT - drop down and draft Latham from Alabama , a true RT. I think its Bowers or Nabers at 5 or trading back. Chargers have their LT - thats Slater. Get a RT lower in the draft

I don't trust Alabama beef, I don't care how highly ranked these guys are coming out of HS, the way that they get coached and handled there doesn't seem to prepare them well for the NFL...Latham got thrown around like a rag doll against Michigan by smaller guys that he had 60-70 pounds on, guys from Alabama tend to be overrated, overweight, and just plain out of shape...

if you want the best RT in the entire draft get the Samoan kid from Oregon State...he put on a show at the senior bowl, he's the complete package, both in run blocking and in pass blocking, just a tenacious player that still hasn't maxed his full potential and his floor is just super high...

[21&500]

I don't trust Alabama beef, I don't care how highly ranked these guys are coming out of HS, the way that they get coached and handled there doesn't seem to prepare them well for the NFL...Latham got thrown around like a rag doll against Michigan by smaller guys that he had 60-70 pounds on, guys from Alabama tend to be overrated, overweight, and just plain out of shape...

if you want the best RT in the entire draft get the Samoan kid from Oregon State...he put on a show at the senior bowl, he's the complete package, both in run blocking and in pass blocking, just a tenacious player that still hasn't maxed his full potential and his floor is just super high...

Lock-step sir
lock-step.

[Fouts2herbert]

I don't think RT v LT is as cut&dry as it used to be. Lane Johnson and Penei Sewell seem to indicate that.
All I know is that Pipkins should not be trusted to protect Justin Herbert... and Harbaugh believes that is job #1.
I'll let him decide how to do that. It wouldn't have to be the #5 pick.
But @#5, the BPA will most likely be Alt. And that's what you do with the #5 pick.
I too would try like hell to trade back... over and over again I've said this.

I can see them drafting a swing tackle in the mid rounds to push sarrell and add more depth...but at the top of the draft? I think they go CB, C, DT or DT, C, CB...the IOL and IDL are the big priorities along with CB...as much as I like the tackles available in the first round, I just don't see them going in that direction, but you never know...

[Boltjolt]

There is no guarantee that any of the offensive tackle prospects you mentioned will be there at 37. Even if there is one in the second round, you're betting a lot that he's going to fix your problem at right tackle over the one you liked better in the first.

I'm not married to the idea of an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick. I'm also very intrigued with the three pass-rushers. I won't be disgusted if we draft Bowers or Nabers, but after watching Michigan closely since Harbaugh took over that program I believe the focus should be on building up both sides of the line. The best wide receiver Harbaugh had in the NFL was Michael Crabtree. The best tight end he had in San Francisco was Vernon Davis, who caught 41 passes the year Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. There were no stars at tight end or wide receiver for the Wolverines when Harbaugh was head coach. That same was true when he coached at Stanford, even when he had Andrew Luck. Harbaugh wins by building more physical teams that dominate the line of scrimmage. If you're going to take a tight end or wide receiver fifth overall instead of what you think is the best offensive lineman or pass-rusher in the draft, that pass-catcher better be great. Since I don't see Bowers or Nabers being a "generational talent" you and others believe, I'm more interested in Alt, trading down for Fuaga (if that's even a possibility), and the three pass-rushers.

It's very early in the draft process, so we know very little. The combine is in a couple of weeks. We're going to hear and read about prospects' stocks rising and falling for the next two months. Personally, I don't see any reason to be convinced that anyone HAS to be the fifth overall pick by Harbaugh and Hortiz.

Very true statement. We know nothing til we see what happens with our current players and if we sign a couple FAs.

Not like he didn't have good WRs

Harbaugh had Anquon Boldin on the Niners when he was the coach for a couple years anyways. (2013-2014)
He is far better than Crabtree and lead the team in receptions and yards those years. His last season there he also had WRs Stevie Johnson and rookie Brandon Lloyd.

In 2012 he had Randy Moss for 1 year. Also in 2012 their first 2 picks were busts. 1st rounder AJ Jenkins (wr) and 2nd rounder LaMichael James (RB) and only 190 lbs. Great college RB. Bust in the NFL.

JH did not do the drafting. He didn't have as much freedom there as he will here working with Hortiz.

As for OL, in those 4 years with the Niners, they drafted no high pick OL. The highest OL they drafted was a OC in round 3.

And when talking to Cowherd he will let Hortiz do the drafting though he said of course he will collaborate with him but that is Hortiz thing, and coaching is Harbaughs.

Batman time if Hortiz eight now and Harbaugh is Robin. When TC camps, that flips.

It's what he said anyways.

They had some good picks but I hope Hortiz is better than Baalke was.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I don't trust Alabama beef, I don't care how highly ranked these guys are coming out of HS, the way that they get coached and handled there doesn't seem to prepare them well for the NFL...Latham got thrown around like a rag doll against Michigan by smaller guys that he had 60-70 pounds on, guys from Alabama tend to be overrated, overweight, and just plain out of shape...

if you want the best RT in the entire draft get the Samoan kid from Oregon State...he put on a show at the senior bowl, he's the complete package, both in run blocking and in pass blocking, just a tenacious player that still hasn't maxed his full potential and his floor is just super high...

I have to admit if RT in the first is our destiny, I want Fuaga.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I can see them drafting a swing tackle in the mid rounds to push sarrell and add more depth...but at the top of the draft? I think they go CB, C, DT or DT, C, CB...the IOL and IDL are the big priorities along with CB...as much as I like the tackles available in the first round, I just don't see them going in that direction, but you never know...

If you want to talk trade down for picks in the first and take a lineman, how about down to the 20s range for the best center in the draft Johnson-Powers. A big nasty 334 lb stud at the postision on the OL we actually do need the most. Anchor the line for years. I would rather get the C, and a bounty of draft picks than take a RT to compete with Pipkins at 5.

[Bolt4Knob]

I have to admit if RT in the first is our destiny, I want Fuaga.

If not Bowers -- and there is a QB at 5 the Vikings like
trade from 5 to 11 with the Vikings - possibly missing out on Bowers, Odunze and Nabers
But you would get MN 1, 2 and 4th - the second one
for Chargers 5th pick in Round 1

Chargers could get RT and 6 picks in Rounds 1-4
I just might give up Bowers for that. Missing out on Nabers and Odunze - I am good with that. Missing out on Bowers - I would need a lot!

[bman6555]

Realistically we're all too early at this point. No point picking on positions to target as we don't even know who is OC, nor who are we going to cut or trade to get under the cap, and then who we sign first in FA.

That said I'd still like to see us do similar to the Lions last year who traded down from #6 for #12 + #34.
10-15 imo would have lots of options for an impact player at CB, Edge, DT, OT and the extra 2nd would help plug another leak.

I'm sure some team will want a first tier LT prospect or WR prospect and pay to move up.
For example do the Jets want to pony up their 2025 first to come up from 10 and secure a OT for Rodgers?
Another spot would be the Bears at #9, who may want to double dip (like Houston last year) and take a WR to go along with DJ Moore for Caleb Williams. They'd probably have a spare 2nd after trading Fields.