Chargers mock draft season has been unofficially underway ever since Justin Herbert suffered his season-ending injury, but now it’s officially time to dive in. With the 2023 season wrapped up, every single team is now focused on improving and getting ready to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2024.
The Los Angeles Chargers underachieved last year, and the disastrous “all-in” season led to a new head coach and general manager. While Jim Harbaugh and friends will need time to reshape the roster in their image, the most important step in building a sustained winner is making the right choices in the NFL Draft. The Chargers have a lot of holes to fill, and Mike Kashuba’s latest mock draft has Los Angeles selecting LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers to kick off their retooling.
Los Angeles Chargers Land Star Playmaker In Latest Mock Draft
Malik Nabers The Prospect
In just about every other year, Malik Nabers would be the unquestioned top receiver in the draft class. However, he’s coming out the same year as Marvin Harrison, so the Chargers will have to settle with getting the second-best wide receiver in this mock draft.
Nabers is the type of wide receiver who can do a little bit of everything. Blessed with elite athletic traits and a prototypical build, the 20-year-old wideout is a phenomenal route runner capable of getting open against a variety of coverages. Even when he’s covered, he still has the size and ball skills to go up and haul in the pass.
Malik Nabers is LEGIT 🙌
pic.twitter.com/7lla3Hqr8F— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 16, 2024
If there is anything to nitpick about Malik Nabers (and it is nitpicking), it’s his route tree. Much like Mike Evans, Nabers can get open at will, but he doesn’t run a full tree. Additionally, his straight-line speed is “just” good. He’s fast, but he won’t effortlessly blow by defenders.
All of this is to say that Malik Nabers has what it takes to make a Day 1 impact for whichever organization drafts him. Kashuba’s mock draft says that team will be the Chargers, but is this a good fit?
Does This Chargers Mock Draft Make Sense?
Right now, the Los Angeles Chargers have two reliable receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as well as a former first-round pick in Quentin Johnston. Unfortunately, Allen and Williams could be cap casualties, and Johnston has given the team no reason to believe he can be a regular contributor.
Even if one of Williams and Allen sticks around, the mock draft is right to identify wide receiver as a major need for the Chargers. The odds of Allen staying healthy at his age and Williams staying upright with his playstyle are slim to none, and there is on reliable depth on this roster. While some fans might want to see Brock Bowers here, it’s important to note that tight ends historically need a lot of time before they’re ready to contribute in the NFL, whereas receivers are more likely to hit the ground running.
It’s also important to point out that the Chargers could trade back in the actual NFL Draft, but Kashuba’s mock draft did not include trades. Seeing as the Chargers have multiple holes to fill on offense and defense, the team could easily justify trading back to a quarterback-desperate team.
Main Photo: Matt Pendleton – USA Today Sports
