The rumor mill has reached its fever pitch about the Los Angeles Chargers head coach and general manager decisions, but draft coverage is also heating up. And the top NFL Draft Analysts have made their opinions known that they think the Charger’s priority should be another offensive weapon.
While it is hard to know what the Chargers identity will be without those positions filled, one thing is clear, Justin Herbert is the team’s best player and most important asset. So, that choice makes sense.
The Chargers Draft Pick Will Be…
The consensus pick is a skill position player, but the NFL Draft experts are torn between two standouts; Georgia tight end, Brock Bowers and LSU wide receiver, Malik Nabers. Here is who picked who:
Camp Bowers:
Dane Brugler-Â The Athletic, Matt Miller– ESPN, Christian D’Andrea-Â For the Win, Connor Livesay-Â The 33rd Team, Walt– Walter Football
Camp Nabers:
Matt Johnson- LAFB Network, Jordan Reid- ESPN, Nick Baumgardner- The Athletic, Trevor Sikkema- Pro Football Focus, Joseph Acosta- SB Nation, Connor Rogers- NBC Sports
Chargers Draft Needs
Both the tight end and wide receiver rooms require a spark. Either Mike Williams or Keenan Allen (perhaps both) won’t be in a Chargers uniform come next season and the rest behind them are not number one receivers. Gerald Everett is fine but has never scratched the surface of high-end talent. Not to mention Everett is a free agent this year.
Splitting Hairs Between Bowers and Nabers
Both offer exactly what the Chargers need from an offensive weapon. But what separates the two is the depth of the draft class at their respective positions. Bowers is the only first-round tight-end talent in this draft. And while drafting a tight end this high will be scoffed at, it is their best shot at acquiring a pro-ready player at the position. Consider it atonement for drafting Quentin Johnston over Sam LaPorta and Dalton Kincaid last year.
The 2024 wide receiver class is deep and assuming that the Chargers retain Keenan Allen, they’ll still have one of the best wide receivers in the league on the field. The Chargers can find a qualified receiver in the second round at 37.