Los Angeles Chargers 7-round mock draft: Why Jim Harbaugh has a long way to go in 2024 NFL Draft

In 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers brought on Jim Harbaugh for the specific purpose of achieving a singular mission.

Their hope was for the victorious coach of the recent National Championship to instill the same mindset in their franchise and revive their competitiveness. Despite having a young franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, they have continuously failed to meet expectations in the past few seasons.

Last year, they failed to make it to the postseason at all, and the year before that, they squandered a comfortable lead in the Wild Card round and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The organization has requested Jim Harbaugh to revamp the team and bring a positive atmosphere. The expectation is that he can not only recreate his success at the college level with Michigan, but also draw from his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance.

Despite losing offensive weapons such as Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen, the team has managed to retain their defensive standouts including Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.

In order to achieve success, Jim Harbaugh must prioritize this area. However, those anticipating an instant Super Bowl victory may be unpleasantly surprised. The 2024 NFL Draft is simply the initial phase of correcting the team’s course.

Los Angeles Chargers 2021 NFL Mock Draft

One way for Jim Harbaugh to revive the Chargers’ competitiveness is by starting to plan for the 2024 NFL Draft well in advance. This approach would require the coach to carefully consider their picks, taking into account the team’s current selections. Relying on trades may introduce uncertainty, so it is important for the coach to focus on their existing draft choices.

This year’s draft has given them the fifth pick, which they could utilize to secure the highly-regarded wide receiver Malik Nabers. In addition, they could turn their attention to bolstering their defense with cornerback Kamari Lassiter by using their second-round pick.

The team’s upcoming picks should focus on revamping the offensive line, potentially selecting multiple offensive tackles before addressing a defensive tackle later in the draft. As the draft progresses, they may choose to enhance Justin Herbert’s offensive options by drafting additional wide receivers and tight ends, while also bolstering their defense with a pass rusher.

Los Angeles Chargers 2021 Mock Draft 2.0

Jim Harbaugh could seek to trade the Chargers’ high draft picks in order to acquire a greater number of players and address their current dilemma. Given the depth of this year’s wide receiver class, he may opt to move down in the first round and ultimately select Adonai Mitchell later on.

With an increased number of draft picks, he had the option to diversify his strategy and select edge rusher Chris Braswell to strengthen their pass-rushing department. Moving forward, he could also prioritize bolstering the offensive line and providing support for the defense in the secondary with his remaining picks.

By recruiting individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, he could enhance the roster’s depth by choosing additional wide receivers and tight ends with his final selections.

Los Angeles Chargers 2022 Mock Draft

Despite being in the highly competitive AFC West with the dominant Kansas City Chiefs, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers understand that catching up to them in just one draft is unlikely. With this in mind, they may focus on maximizing their picks not only for this year, but also for future drafts.

By implementing this plan, they were able to secure the acquisition of wide receiver Troy Franklin before selecting Jordan Morgan as their offensive tackle. With a total of 13 picks, they also had the opportunity to draft multiple running backs, something that was not feasible in previous versions. Furthermore, they were able to recruit talent from various positions across the field.