Justin Herbert led the Los Angeles Chargers to a thrilling 34-27 comeback victory against the Denver Broncos. Herbert threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, while Cameron Dicker made NFL history with a successful fair-catch kick. The Chargers’ playoff hopes remain alive, while the Broncos, despite the loss, still have a strong chance of making the postseason.
The possibility of the Los Angeles Chargers drafting a quarterback with the 5th overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft has sparked debate, but NFL analyst Rich Eisen has vehemently rejected the notion. Despite mock drafts predicting the selection of a receiver or a trade to accumulate draft capital, rumors have persisted that the Chargers could target a quarterback. However, Eisen has called these rumors the “dumbest thing” he has heard in his career.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh faces a dual mandate in his inaugural NFL Draft: bolstering Justin Herbert’s offense while potentially leveraging his No. 5 overall pick for additional draft capital to bolster the trenches, particularly the offensive line. Due to the team’s pressing needs, the Chargers could explore trading down to acquire more selections. A hypothetical trade with the Minnesota Vikings, as proposed by Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler, could see the Chargers drop six spots while still landing a highly coveted prospect.
Speculation is swirling about a potential blockbuster trade that would see the Los Angeles Chargers trade quarterback Justin Herbert in exchange for a chance to draft C.J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sportsbooks have reported a significant shift in odds, with the Chargers’ odds to draft a quarterback in the first round moving from +10000 (100-1) to +600 (6-1). The rumors have been fueled by Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s vocal admiration for McCarthy, who he coached to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2023. Harbaugh’s comments suggest that he rates McCarthy above other highly-touted quarterback prospects such as Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, and Drake Maye. While Herbert is widely regarded as a franchise quarterback, he has not yet achieved the same level of success as some of his 2020 NFL Draft classmates, such as Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa.
As the Chargers prepare for the 2024 draft, they face a wide receiver shortage after losing key players. Justin Herbert’s aerial dominance may face challenges with an inexperienced receiving corps. The team has options to address the position, including trading back and selecting from a deep wide receiver class. The Chargers seek to balance passing and running under new coach Jim Harbaugh, emphasizing physicality. The outcome of the draft remains uncertain, with speculation surrounding the selection of wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze.
The Los Angeles Chargers will enter the NFL Draft with a clear need to address their wide receiver and offensive line positions. While they have signed free agents at running back and tight end, the Chargers believe in building depth at all positions. Quarterback Justin Herbert is expected to return from injury, but the Chargers are likely to prioritize protecting him by upgrading their offensive line. They could also trade back in the first round to select a top-ranked tight end or lineman.
