The NFL world has made its way to Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Take a look at who draft analysts have the Bolts selecting at No. 5 overall.
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed below represent those of individual authors and do not represent the opinions or policies of the Chargers' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives.
Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN – OT JC Latham, Alabama
Last updated: February 28, 2024
Here's a big -- literally -- deviation from my debut mock draft. When I projected the Chargers to take tight end Brock Bowers (Georgia) in January, it was before they had hired Jim Harbaugh as their new coach. And we should know from Harbaugh's time with the 49ers and at Michigan that he wants to build through the lines, which means starting with the 300-pounders. The 360-pound Latham started 27 games at right tackle in college, which is where he could slot in for L.A.
This is a little bit of a reach in my rankings -- Latham is No. 22 on my Big Board -- but he's a nasty run-blocker, which is why I see a fit for him in this offense. He'd form a great pair of bookend tackles with Rashawn Slater.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 27, 2024
Jim Harbaugh's commitment to the running game could lead the Chargers to pick this standout blocker, adding toughness and physicality to a front line expected to move defenders at the point of attack.
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports – WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Last updated: February 27, 2024
Rick Spielman: Justin Herbert gets another playmaker in Malik Nabers.
The Athletic College Football, The Athletic – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 27, 2024
With Jim Harbaugh now in charge, I certainly thought about picking an offensive lineman here; the trenches have been integral to every Harbaugh build, whether with Stanford, the 49ers or Michigan. But the Chargers' passing game needs more juice, and Justin Herbert needs more weapons. They can't go wrong with Bowers, a tight end so good he briefly garnered Heisman Trophy buzz. Harbaugh has always emphasized tight ends, and Bowers gives the Chargers a dynamic threat.
Charles McDonald and Nate Tice, Yahoo Sports – OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Last updated: February 23, 2024
Jim Harbaugh is going to build through the trenches and nabs Fashanu, the talented tackle from the Big Ten. Fashanu already shows advanced eyes and awareness as a player, which is the cherry on top to his incredible package of size, length and foot quickness.
Take a look back at the best photos of Justin Herbert's 2023 campaign
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 20, 2024
This feels like a statement pick, seeing how it'll be Jim Harbaugh's first selection since becoming the Chargers' head coach. Alt would take over at right tackle in short order. Keep in mind that new GM Joe Hortiz came from Baltimore, where eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden started at guard his rookie year before taking over at tackle.
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 25, 2024
Whether they put him on the left or right, Alt can be a cornerstone for the Chargers offense. There are plenty of good tackles in this class, but Alt is the best out there for my money.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 26, 2024
Bowers, maybe even more so than the electric receivers likely to be available here, sizes up as the kind of target Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman could be drawn to, with the dynamic run-after-catch threat possibly making Vernon Davis-like contributions for Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense.
The Athletic NFL Staff, The Athletic – WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Last updated: February 22, 2024
I tried to trade down, but with the top three quarterbacks off the board, I did not get any bites. There is certainly a chance that new head coach Jim Harbaugh will look to take an offensive lineman at this spot. But I was unwilling to pass up the opportunity to draft a blue-chip receiver for Justin Herbert.
Take a look back at the best photos of the Chargers 2023 draft class in their inaugural NFL campaign
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 23, 2024
If Bowers tests through the roof in Indianapolis, he could go this high.
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 22, 2024
Jim Harbaugh likes tight ends. Frankly, though, Bowers is more accurately described as an offensive weapon, and I envision Justin Herbert taking full advantage of his multi-faceted abilities.
Connor Livesay, The 33rd Team – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 25, 2024
We could see the Chargers go away from selecting Malik Nabers or Brock Bowers to solidify their offensive line. Joe Alt would give the Chargers bookends at tackle. Rashawn Slater and Alt could be one of the top young tackle duos in the NFL.
Eric Froton, NBC Sports – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 22, 2024
Selecting Alt with this pick would give the Chargers two legitimate pillars on their offensive line to build around for the next half decade and beyond.
Dan Parr, NFL.com – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 16, 2024
There might be bigger needs on paper come draft day, but selecting Alt to play right tackle seems like the pick most in line with the head coach's philosophy.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports – OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Last updated: February 15, 2024
The Chargers continue to bolster the offensive line -- they've drafted a tackle and a guard in the first round in two of the last three years -- even with a playmaker like Brock Bowers still on the board.
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