The Super Bowl has passed and all eyes shift towards the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, which kicks off in less than two weeks in Indianapolis.
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.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 12, 2024
Bowers has a chance to be the best player not named Caleb Williams in this draft because of his combination of reliable hands, strong running and blocking ability.
Second round: CB Ennis Rakestraw, Jr., Missouri
Third round: DT Leonard Taylor III, Miami
Field Yates, ESPN.com – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 14, 2024
This pick is reflective of what I believe the roster will look like under new GM Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh: full of tough, physical, relentless players like Alt, who masterfully turned into an outstanding left tackle at Notre Dame. I'd expect Alt to start his career with the Chargers at right tackle ... and forming a potential dominant duo with left tackle Rashawn Slater.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com – CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Last updated: February 5, 2024
PROJECTED TRADE: The Chargers trade down to No. 8 with the Falcons.
Arnold fits the mold of press corner that Jim Harbaugh employed at Michigan. Cornerback is clearly one of the top needs on the board for the Chargers.
BR NFL Scouting Department, Bleacher Report – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 12, 2024
At each of Harbaugh's stops, he's focused on improving the trenches and making them a focal point. The Chargers shouldn't approach this offseason any other way.
Alt has the edge here over Penn State's Olu Fashanu because he's more polished and better at the point of attack. With Alt at right tackle, the Chargers would feature one of the league's most talented young offensive lines. Slater, left guard Zion Johnson and right guard Jamaree Salyer are all 24 or younger.
Take a look back at the best photos of the offense's 2023 campaign
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus – WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Last updated: February 12, 2024
Alabama's Terrion Arnold would be in play, but I think the receivers are seen in higher regard.
LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze — flip a coin. I lean toward Odunze here due to the size advantage.
Second round: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 12, 2024
Is this too high for a tight end? Maybe. The better question, perhaps, is how far Bowers slides if the Chargers don't go for him here. Los Angeles also could be in a trade-down situation. In the end, though, there might not be a better fit than Bowers for everything Jim Harbaugh's about as a coach. He'd be a perfect starting piece for Harbaugh's system.
Second Round: C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Third Round: DT Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com – CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Last updated: February 9, 2024
Every year I get some data that looks like the prototype of the model (I measure players against prototypes of "ideals"). The prototype here shows signs of an elite trajectory based on ball skills and burst/speed (Arnold got better as the season went on). All of that is mixed with a dash of potentially getting caught being too aggressive.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports – OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Last updated: February 12, 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.
Take a look back at the best photos of the Chargers 2023 draft class in their inaugural NFL campaign
Eric Edholm, NFL.com – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 2, 2024
Not everyone will agree with a tight end in the top five, even after Kyle Pitts broke that glass ceiling a few years ago and Sam LaPorta just played like one of the five best NFL rookies this season. Bowers -- a California native who grew up a six-hour drive north of Los Angeles in wine country -- could be the perfect weapon for Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh, who can use Bowers like he did Vernon Davis in San Francisco.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer – CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Last updated: January 31, 2024
Arnold boasts good size and top-tier ball-hawking skills. He'd complement Asante Samuel Jr. and give L.A.'s secondary a takeaway-creating boost.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports – WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Last updated: February 11, 2024
Malik Nabers is a downfield threat and would be a good compliment to Quentin Johnston in the event he continues developing.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 9, 2024
The Chargers need to keep boosting their offensive line with Rashawn Slater holding down left tackle and another first-rounder in Zion Johnson at left guard. Alt is very athletic and would be a strong, long-term bookend for Slater to better protect Justin Herbert.
Take a look back at the best photos of Justin Herbert's 2023 campaign
Damian Parson, The Draft Network – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 11, 2024
PROJECTED TRADE: The Chargers trade down to No. 11 with the Vikings.
After trading back and acquiring more draft capital, the Chargers add one of the best receiving tight ends we've seen in quite some time. Brock Bowers will be an explosive run-after-catch weapon for Justin Herbert to target all over the field.
Joseph Acosta, SB Nation – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 12, 2024
With Jim Harbaugh now in Los Angeles, expect a lot of 12 personnel and passes to the tight ends. Bowers is one of the most dynamic tight end prospects we've seen enter the NFL in a long time, and his ability to be destructive after the catch sounds mighty enticing paired with Justin Herbert.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports – OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Last updated: February 14, 2024
PROJECTED TRADE: The Chargers trade down to No. 6 with the Giants.
The Chargers continue the previous regime's build-the-trenches-early philosophy with Fuaga. Instant plus starter at right tackle. Los Angeles gets pick No. 70 (third-round) in this swap.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today – WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Last updated: February 12, 2024
How will Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz prioritize remaking the Chargers' roster in Year 1? If getting the most out of Justin Herbert is one of the foremost goals, then adding an electric element at receiver is a necessity. Consider that box checked with Nabers, who routinely pulls away from defenders both as a deep threat and with the ball in his hands.
Connor Livesay, The 33rd Team – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Last updated: February 12, 2024
Whether it's a wide receiver, tight end or offensive lineman, it's almost a lock that the Los Angeles Chargers selection at No. 5 will be an offensive player.
Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers are the betting favorites but do not sleep on the Chargers trading back or taking a franchise right tackle early to solidify the offensive line to protect Justin Herbert.
Anthony Miller, Pro Football Network – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 13, 2024
Jim Harbaugh will have to focus on building the offensive line around Justin Herbert to get the offense back on track. Joe Alt is strong and fluid with his movement and strength, making him a good starting tackle who can play on either side of the line.
Dan Wilkins, Dane Belbeck, The Score – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Last updated: February 12, 2024
Jim Harbaugh is going to want to play his brand of offense with the Chargers. Doing so will, first and foremost, require some reinforcements up front. Alt working opposite Rashawn Slater would give Los Angeles an outstanding young duo of bookend tackles.
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