The 2024 NFL Draft is just days away, which means there is time for just one more Los Angeles Chargers mock draft. With Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco now elsewhere, Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz have their first real opportunity to reshape the roster. Armed with nine picks, the Chargers must make the most of their selections to make it back to the playoffs in 2024.
Note that this exercise was performed using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulator. If the player was on the board when Los Angeles was on the clock, they were fair game. Also note that this Ravens mock draft does not include trades.
Final Chargers Seven-Round Mock Draft
First Round (5th Overall) – Malik Nabers, WR
Jim Harbaugh wants to improve the offensive line, but he’d be a fool to pass up a talent like Malik Nabers. Blessed with the insane ability to do just about everything at a high level, he and Justin Herbert could dominate the league together for the next decade. Seeing as this Chargers mock draft does not include trades, Los Angeles stays put and takes the best player left on the board.
Malik Nabers NFL Draft Profile
Second Round (37th Overall) – Zach Frazier, C
Replacing a legend like Corey Linsley is never easy, but Zach Frazier could be up for the test. While the NFL Draft hopeful will probably never be as good as Linsley, he’s a pro-ready prospect who should be an above-average starter, which is more than you can say about Bradley Bozeman.
Zach Frazier NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (69th Overall) – Blake Fisher, OT
The Chargers wait until the third round in this mock draft to get a tackle, but they still end up with a starting-caliber player in this deep class. Blake Fisher is a little slow off the snap, but that’s a coachable flaw. What can’t be coached is his great athleticism, quick feet, and natural ability as an open space blocker. He’s good enough in pass protection and should be a joy to watch in Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense.
Blake Fisher NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (105th Overall) – Tyrone Tracy, RB
The Chargers continue building around the run game in this mock draft with Tyrone Tracy. While he is on the older side, the projected fourth-round pick used to be a wide receiver and will be a natural fit for the passing down role. He’s more than just a one-trick pony, as he can also get work done between the tackles. While he doesn’t have the highest ceiling, he’s more than capable of joining a committee with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.
Fourth Round (110th Overall) – Cade Stover, TE
While wide receiver gets the most attention, the Chargers also need a reliable tight end. Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst can hold down the fort in the short term, but Cade Stover gives the team some long-term upside as a receiver. While he won’t win too many battles in the trenches, he can get open over the middle and provide a reliable set of hands in the short and intermediate parts of the field.
Fifth Round (140th Overall) – Maason Smith, DI
With all of the safe prospects off the board, the Chargers shoot for upside in the fifth round of this mock draft. Maason Smith has all the physical traits to develop into a reliable interior lineman, but his tape is littered with inconsistent play. The right coaching staff could bring out the best in the LSU product, and he should feel no pressure to make a Day 1 impact with this type of draft capital.
Maason Smith NFL Draft Profile
Sixth Round (181st Overall) – Nehemiah Pritchett, CB
The Chargers find another high-upside defensive diamond in the rough late in this mock draft. Nehemiah Pritchett and Maason Smith are similar prospects in the sense that both players have the physical gifts and raw traits to start in the NFL. Like Smith, Pritchett needs some fine turning but should be a solid depth option in a man-heavy coverage scheme.
Seventh Round (225th Overall) – Elijah Jones, CB
Los Angeles lands another scheme-specific cornerback late in this draft, but Elijah Jones should fit in well with this defense. The Boston College product is at his best getting in a receiver’s face and making plays on the ball, as evidenced by his five interceptions last year.
Seventh Round (253rd Overall) – Devin Leary, QB
The Chargers wrap up this mock draft with Kentucky’s Devin Leary. Needless to say, the prospect will not compete with Justin Herbert, but he has the arm talent to battle it out with Easton Stick for the backup job.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
