If the Los Angeles Chargers make their No. 5 scheduled selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, they're expected to choose between offensive tackle Joe Alt, or a wide receiver like Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, or Marvin Harrison Jr. The Chargers are entering the draft with sizable needs at both positions. If general manager Joe Horitz and head coach Jim Harbaugh decide to stick and pick, they should draft one of the top three receivers ahead of Alt.
The Chargers parted ways with both of their top receivers this offseason, trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and outright releasing Mike Williams due to difficulties against the salary cap. Those ripple effects have left Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer as the current starting receivers. Johnston struggled mightily as a rookie first-round pick of the previous regime and Palmer is a No. 3 wideout at best. The Chargers need to do significantly better around Justin Herbert.
Allen produced 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He was targeted on 150 occasions, ranking 10th in the NFL in that category. When generally healthy between 2019 and 2022, Williams averaged 99.25 targets per season. Factor in the departure of the dual-threat Austin Ekeler and you could account for another 80-odd passing-game targets no longer being present. These are massive numbers that need replacing.
Despite that, there’s been significant smoke connecting the Chargers to drafting an offensive lineman at No. 5 instead. Harbaugh recently went on a tangent regarding the importance of offensive linemen, a sentiment we agree with. ESPN insider Adam Schefter proclaimed he expects the Chargers to target an O-lineman earlier this week.
Alt is heavily expected to be the first offensive tackle drafted. It’s worth noting the Chargers’ need is at right tackle. They roster an All-Pro left tackle in Rashawn Slater. Alt would be replacing Trey Pipkins on the right, who was credited with allowing nine sacks and 49 pressures last season by Pro Football Focus. Pipkins was also whistled for seven penalties, and struggled as a run blocker, earning a grade of 50.3.
I don’t love the idea of replacing Pipkins with Alt. Firstly, Pipkins isn’t some massive liability. He’s a slightly below-average to league-average starter that could use upgrading, sure, but he’s not performing poorly enough to where it's hamstringing the entire offense. With Slater thriving on an island as the blindside protector, the Chargers could always slide protection or attach a tight end to the right side, aiding Pipkins in his duties.
Secondly, Alt logged more than 2,000 snaps as a left tackle across the previous three seasons at Notre Dame. He played exactly zero snaps as a right tackle. He wouldn’t be the first tackle drafted to switch sides, but when I'm drafting a player with a premium top-five selection, I'd prefer them to continue playing their most natural position. If the Chargers are truly hellbent on drafting a tackle, they should trade down from No. 5 and target a more natural right tackle prospect like JC Latham or Taliese Fuaga.
I believe the best outcome is for the Chargers to draft Nabers, Odunze, or Harrison Jr. at No. 5. The need for a new go-to playmaker in the passing game is glaring. The Chargers have often failed Herbert throughout his tenure as their franchise quarterback. Herbert is a top-five QB in the league on talent alone, and the team should continue investing in his development by ensuring he has elite weapons at his disposal. He doesn’t even have league-average receivers as things stand.
Competing in the AFC West alongside Patrick Mahomes and the high-octane Chiefs should also impact the Chargers' strategy. Do we really believe the Chargers are going to dethrone the Chiefs with Johnston and Palmer as their starting receivers? Get real.
The Chargers will enter Thursday with a fascinating decision to make. Alt and at least two of the elite receiver prospects should remain available at No. 5 overall. The correct decision would be to prioritize Herbert's potential by drafting a playmaking receiver.
