Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft 2024: 7-Round Mock Using ESPN, PFF Simulators

Who will the Los Angeles Chargers draft at 5? The 2024 NFL Draft is days away which means we are close to being introduced to the Chargers draft class in 2024. Before Los Angeles makes its picks, we’re conducting one final Chargers mock draft of the year.

In the past, our Chargers 7-round mock draft has been conducted using PFF’s simulator. This time around, we’re introducing ESPN’s draft simulator and offering two different draft strategies for the Chargers.

Los Angeles Chargers draft picks 2024

Here are the current Chargers draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

For our final Chargers mock draft 2024, we used both the ESPN mock draft simulator and the Pro Football Focus NFL mock draft simulator. Here’s a breakdown of each, with different strategies used.

Chargers Mock Draft 2024: ESPN 7-Round Chargers Draft Projection

First round, 5th overall: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU Tigers

If Los Angeles isn’t trading down from the fifth overall pick, the best option by far for the team is drafting either Malik Nabers or Marvin Harrison Jr. Joe Alt is a fantastic offensive tackle prospect with talent worthy of a top-five pick, but drafting him means a position switch to right tackle for either Alt or Rashawn Slater. Success isn’t guaranteed in making that flip, which helps influence this decision for us.

Related: NFL insider sheds light on alleged Malik Nabers’ off-field concerns

Nabers is Tyreek Hill-like both in his ability to create separation from defenders and to make explosive plays after the catch. Some NFL scouts even viewed him as a better prospect than Ja’Marr Chase, who became an immediate All-Pro almost immediately. While Marvin Harrison Jr. might seem like a better stylistic fit for Greg Roman’s offense, Jim Harbaugh said back in 2016 that he wanted Julio Jones and that is the type of offensive weapon Nabers can be for Los Angeles.

Second Round, 37th overall: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia Bulldogs

After choosing No. 5 overall between a receiver and offensive tackle, there’s no hesitation in the second round of our Chargers mock draft. From the perspective of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, he needs reliable cornerbacks to make his system work. Look at the success the Michigan Wolverines defense had and you’ll see a secondary with multiple NFL-caliber starters, so that needs to be replicated.

Related: NFL reporter sheds light on Jim Harbaugh’s potential draft strategy

Kamari Lassiter isn’t an elite athlete by any means, but he is NFL-ready. That’s because the 5-foot-11 cornerback was coached extremely well at the University of Georgia, with the Bulldogs’ coaching staff helping enhance his instincts and football IQ. Lassiter is comfortable in both man and zone coverage with the discipline to not take unnecessary risks. He should also be able to translate quickly because he knows how to disrupt a receiver’s timing with great hand fighting and his ability to diagnose plays help him react quicker. Plus, Lassiter is a willing run defender. He can be the No. 2 corner in Los Angeles.

Third Round, 69th overall: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson Tigers

After grabbing a starting cornerback for the Chargers defense, our focus shifts back to the battle in the trenches. There’s been so much focus during the pre-draft process on Harbaugh’s infatuation with the offensive line, but his time at Michigan shows he equally values the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Related: Los Angeles Chargers Draft Guide 2024

Ruke Orhorhoro is a major step toward improving the interior Chargers defensive line. Standing at 6-foot-4, the Clemson Tigers defensive tackle recorded a 9.92 Relative Athletic Score during the pre-draft process and we’ll also note Harbaugh offered him a scholarship back in 2018 and he took an unofficial visit with Michigan. Orhorhoro offers positional versatility with the power to make an impact as a run defender and the explosiveness to develop into a fine pass rusher. He’d be more of an early-down player in his NFL career, but Orhorhoro could develop into an above-average starter for Los Angeles.

Fourth Round, 105th overall: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The opportunity finally came to draft an offensive tackle. Los Angeles is obviously set at left tackle for years to come, so it didn’t make sense to draft one of the developmental linemen on Day 2. So, with some patience, the Chargers find a potential starter at right tackle. Coming from Notre Dame’s offensive line factory, Blake Fisher provides above-average athleticism and size, he also does a nice job controlling defensive linemen when his technique is right. However, he isn’t especially consistent right now and it will take a great offensive line coach to iron out some of his mistakes. Fisher could open the 2024 season behind Trey Pipkins and eventually take over because his tools offer a much higher ceiling long-term.

Related: Top linebacker targets for Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 NFL Draft

Fourth Round, 110th overall: Zak Zinter, iOL, Michigan Wolverines

After not touching the offensive line on the first two days, now we’re loading up at the position for Los Angeles. Zak Zinter was a three-year starter for the Michigan Wolverines and really blossomed in his final two seasons. The 6-foot-6 interior lineman isn’t a good athlete, but he is pro-ready because of his physicality, technique, and mind. A broken tibia and fibula suffered in November are partially responsible for Zinter’s drop in the 2024 NFL Draft. With that said, the Chargers’ staff knows him very well and he could be eased into action. Similar to Fisher, Zinter could take over as a starter for Los Angeles later in the season.

Also Read: 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings

Fifth Round, 140th overall: Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky Wildcats

The 2024 NFL Draft might not be well-known for its running back prospects, but you can find starting-caliber players from Rounds 3-5. Ray Davis is an excellent example and we’d put him on the same tier as Blake Corum as prospects. Davis, 5-foot-8, is a very patient runner and he’s very willing to lower his shoulder and run through a defender. He also could become a three-down back, with enough pass-catching skills and a willingness to pass block that can keep him on the field at times on third downs. There isn’t a high ceiling with Davis, but he can probably be grabbed two rounds later than Corum.

Related: Read the inspiring story of Ray Davis

6th Round, 181st overall: Beau Brade, S, Maryland Terrapins

In the later rounds of our Chargers mock draft, we’re targeting players with either upside or positional versatility. Maryland’s Beau Brade fits in the latter category, offering the flexibility to operate as a third safety or play the nickel. He’ll be more impactful defending the run than he is making plays in coverage, but he has enough experience and ball skills to hold his own in the shallow area of the field.

Related: Los Angeles Chargers depth chart 2024

7th Round, 225th overall: Jalen Sundell, OT, North Dakota State Bison

A little added depth in the offensive line room never hurt. Jalen Sundell is a premium athlete with experience playing multiple positions on the line. He does need to spend a lot more time in the weight room, but Los Angeles is arguably the perfect fit for him because of strength coach Ben Herbert. Sundell shouldn’t see the field in 2024, but he could turn into a nice Swiss Army knife who provides depth at multiple spots.

Related: Latest Los Angeles Chargers news, analysis

7th Round, 253rd overall: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple Owls

The problem with off-ball linebackers coming out of college is that so many of them aren’t ready to play meaningful snaps in the NFL. That’s part of the reason why, once the top options were gone, we just held off on addressing the position. Los Angeles is better off adding more veteran depth, but Jordan Magee at least offers good football IQ and great athleticism.

Also Read: 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings

Chargers Mock Draft 2024: PFF 7-Round Chargers Mock Draft

First round, 11th overall*: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State Beavers

• TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers receive 11th and 23rd overall picks for 5th overall pick

Our final Chargers mock draft in 2024 takes us back to our favorite fit for Los Angeles. We do believe there’s room to improve at right tackle and the emphasis Jim Harbaugh has placed on winning in the trenches suggests this spot will be prioritized. Trading down with the Minnesota Vikings simply allows the Chargers to address multiple needs in Round 1 and get an offensive tackle who better fits the scheme.

Also Read: Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings 2024

For a run-heavy team, Fuaga brings the nastiness and strength coaches want. Fuaga will bury his man in the ground and then look for someone else to take out, that fits the philosophy in Los Angeles. He also delivers quality athleticism and technique to hold up very well in pass protection. Fuaga can become a perennial Pro Bowl right tackle who fits perfectly in Greg Roman’s system.

First Round, 23rd overall: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas Longhorns

The Chargers’ depth chart at wide receiver is awful and will force the team to use a top-40 pick to provide Justin Herbert with some help. While waiting until Round 2 was an option, a player of Adonai Mitchell’s caliber wouldn’t have made it past the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

Related: NFL analyst forecasts great things for Los Angeles Chargers in 2024

There is more risk in drafting Mitchell than someone like Ladd McConkey. At Texas, Mitchell had some of the best peak moments in college football and flashed all of the traits you see from No. 1 receivers in the NFL. However, he also disappeared for stretches and that’s why he’s not a top-15 pick. Even with the risk that he doesn’t become more consistent, Mitchell’s floor is a No. 2 receiver. As for his ceiling, a 6-foot-3 receiver with a 4.34 40 time who can beat press coverage, that’s a potential Pro Bowl pass-catcher.

Second Round, 36th overall: Mike Sainristill, CB, Michigan Wolverines

If Harbaugh and Minter wait to address cornerback until Round 2, it makes all the sense in the world to draft Mike Sainristill. He knows Minter’s scheme like the back of his hand and that level of familiarity will help him quickly translate into being a productive corner. Plus, Sainristill’s athleticism and ball skills highlight why he’s a lot more than just an instinctual defensive back. Slot corners are more valuable than ever in the modern NFL and Sainrstill is a plug-and-play starter.

Related: NFL defense rankings 2024

Third Round, 69th overall: Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon

Brandon Dorlus isn’t the flashiest of prospects, lacking elite college production and just an 8.56 Rekatuve Athletic Score. What the 6-foot-3 defensive lineman does bring to the table, however, is power and versatility. Dorlus played across Oregon’s defensive line and could rotate as a defensive end and interior pass-rush at the next level. He doesn’t project as a cornerstone lineman for Minter’s defense, but he is the caliber of role player you find on championship-caliber defenses.

Fourth Round, 105th overall: Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas

Los Angeles seems ready to rock with Bradley Bozeman as its center for the 2024 season, but he will likely only be around for a year. Beaux Limmer’s pass protection at center would be considered below-average, but he brings it as a run blocker and plays with intensity. Plus, with Bozeman at center this fall, Limmer offers the flexibility to play at guard if there’s an injury. While there are better centers in the 2024 NFL Draft, this position isn’t an immediate need for the Chargers, so they can be a little patient and take a player on Day 3 who can add insurance at multiple positions.

Fourth Round, 110th overall: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC Trojans

Marshawn Lloyd didn’t become a featured back until the 2023 season, which means he’s entering the NFL with less tread on the proverbial tires. The 5-foot-9 running back is an outstanding receiving threat out of the backfield, both in his ability to turn short catches into YAC plays and offering some fairly effective route-running. Lloyd doesn’t profile as a bell-cow in the NFL, but he can serve as the 1a in a committee in a pairing with a short-yardage back. The most important thing here is not reaching for a running back and Lloyd is the perfect example of the type of starting-level backs you can find in the fourth-fifth rounds.

Related: 2024 NFL Draft running back rankings

Fifth Round, 140th overall: Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan Wolverines

If the Chargers want to increase the chances of a rookie off-ball linebacker making a positive contribution, the best plan is either taking one in the second round or snagging a player who knows the system. Michael Barrett is the latter. Barrett spent six years with Harbaugh at Michigan and he blossomed when Minter took over as defensive coordinator. The below-average size and athleticism push him down the 2024 NFL Draft, but Barrett’s intangibles, experience and the ability to contribute on special teams make him perfect for the Chargers.

6th Round, 181st overall: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan Wolverines

It’s the third Michigan player in our Chargers mock draft, but it’s certainly not out o the question that something like this happens. Barring a trade-down followed by a Brock Bowers selection, Harbaugh and Co. will likely wait until later in the NFL Draft to add to the tight end room. AJ Barner is a fairly capable run blocker with the size (6-foot-6) and just enough movement skills to at least be a receiving option who can move the chains. He profiles as nothing more than a No. 2 tight end, but that’s perfectly fine in Round 6.

7th Round, 225th overall: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force Falcons

As we near the end of our 7-round Chargers mock draft, it’s all about depth for shallow spots on the roster. Trey Taylor certainly doesn’t have the speed to be a starter in the NFL, but he does bring excellent instincts. Simply having players you can throw out there when injuries strike and knowing they will stick to their assignments and make the right decisions has value.

7th Round, 253rd overall: Khalid Duke, EDGE, Kansas State Wildcats

Khalid Duke is on the small size (6-foot-3 and 246 pounds), but he’s explosive coming off the edge. He might need to spend a season on the Chargers practice squad adding some strength and learning how to get off blocks better, but he could be molded into a No. 5 edge rusher.

Also Read: 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings

Final Chargers 7-round mock draft

Here are the results of our Chargers 7-round mock draft on both ESPN and PFF.