New faces have been a big reason why the Los Angeles Chargers are 8-4 and in a prime position to make the postseason for the first time in a few years.
From new General Manager Joe Hortiz and new head coach Jim Harbaugh setting the tone, to the new coaches in the organization, it has also been the 2024 draft class making a big impact.
Last week, Bleacher Report re-ranked each draft class from all 32 NFL teams.
The Chargers were one of 11 teams to earn an “A-“ grade or better from Bleacher Report after the conclusion of the draft last April.
Here is why Bleacher Report re-ranked the Los Angeles Chargers to have the fifth-best draft class in their updated draft class rankings.
Los Angeles Chargers Make Early Bold Decision
Entering the draft, the Los Angeles Chargers were in a position where new faces were finding their roles as selections were made.
This also came as the team unloaded three primary mainstays on offense in running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
As a result, with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round, does Hortiz and Harbaugh fill one of those spots or go in a different direction?
Also read: Los Angeles Chargers Look To Michigan In Latest 3-Round Mock Draft
There were options at wide receiver available in Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. (Marvin Harrison Jr. was drafted one spot earlier by Arizona.)
However, Hortiz and Harbaugh went with the latter, deciding to strengthen the offensive line by selecting Joe Alt, and passing on Nabers and Odunze, who went to the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears, respectively.
Alt has become not only one of the top rookies at the tackle position but also among all tackles. Alt is the AFC Pro Bowl leader in votes at offensive tackle and that is after taking on some of the game’s best pass-rushers in Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, and divisional foe in Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby. Â
Taking the top tackle off the board with the No. 5 pick has paid dividends, especially at the beginning of the season when the offense primarily relied on the run game.
Chargers Eventually Fill Needs Following Alt
After the Los Angeles Chargers selected Alt, Hortiz and Harbaugh were hoping to see some potential players still on the board on Day 2.
After Buffalo selected wide receiver Keon Coleman to begin the second round, the Bolts were on the clock, with an opportunity to swoop in on a pass catcher.
That pass catcher was Ladd McConkey from Georgia, who won not one, but two national championships with the Bulldogs.
Since joining the Bolts, McConkey has become a reliable piece in the offense for quarterback Justin Herbert, having at least six targets in 10 of 12 games this season. Overall, McConkey has 58 receptions for 815 yards and four touchdowns.
McConkey has three 100-yard games, which have all resulted in Chargers victories. Against New Orleans on Oct. 27, he caught all six targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Against Cincinnati on Nov. 17, he had six receptions on nine targets for a season-high 123 yards in a big win over the Bengals.
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Last week, McConkey recorded season-highs with nine receptions on a dozen targets for 117 yards in the 17-13 win on the road, in his return to the Peach State against the Falcons.
He is on pace to log 1,154 receiving yards. If McConkey reaches that, he will become the eighth rookie wide receiver in NFL history with at least 1,150 receiving yards in their first season joining Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Michael Clayton, Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Puka Nacua.
On top of that, McConkey has surpassed both Odunze and Nabers in receiving yardage and touchdowns. So, waiting on a wide receiver was a wise, and successful decision by the Chargers.
It speaks to the depth of that position every year (Nacua was a fifth-round pick last year).
Bolts Draft Class Deepens On Defense
After picking McConkey, the Los Angeles Chargers next four picks went to the defensive side of the ball in rounds three, four, and five.
In the third round, the Chargers selected linebacker Junior Colson, who has reunited with Harbaugh now at the NFL level after winning a National Championship last year at Michigan. Colson has played in five games so far, totaling 14 tackles. He has not seen the field since the Saints game, due to going on injured reserve.
The Bolts then focused on the defensive line by drafting Justin Eboigbe from Alabama in the fourth round. He has so far played in three games.
Then the Chargers went hard at the cornerback position in the fifth round. They drafted Tarheeb Still with the 137th overall pick. Three picks later the Chargers drafted Cam Hart.
Also read: Los Angeles Chargers’ Defensive Masterclass Explained By Star Defender
Both have played critical roles in Los Angeles’ defense while on the field. Hart, who did not play the last two weeks due to ankle and concussion injuries, has played in 10 games while recording 30 tackles, four pass deflections, a forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks.
Still has been the slam dunk pick of the four. In nine games this season, the Maryland alum has 36 tackles with 0.5 sacks. However, he also has three interceptions this season, including two last week in Atlanta that were highlighted by a 62-yard pick-six, while also adding three pass deflections.
As a result of his performance, he was a nominee for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week as he had a 94.0 Pro Football Focus Grade, which was the team-best and the highest in the NFL.
Having the quartet of Alt, McConkey, Hart, and Still has become one of the best four-man draft picks this season with production both on offense and defense.
In addition, the picks around them, including sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal and seventh-round pick Brenden Rice, have made this draft class one of the best from the 2024 NFL draft.