We can safely assume that the Los Angeles Chargers’ new brass of head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz are not dumb. We can also safely assume that the power duo knows their wide receiver situation is not sustainable heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles released former first-round pick Mike Williams and traded franchise legend Keenan Allen earlier this offseason. The latter move was a bitter pill for fans in Southern California to swallow.
Despite Harbaugh’s recent odd response about the Chargers’ lackluster wide receiver situation, they are certainly checking on some of the top prospects at that position with the fifth pick in the draft.
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Los Angeles Chargers Meet with Malik Nabers Ahead Of 2024 NFL Draft
NFL insider Aaron Wilson was the first to report the news that Los Angeles has met with the former LSU Tigers star with less than three weeks to go ahead of the draft.
The Chargers are in a unique and enviable position to add a top-flight young receiver such as Nabers to the mix for Justin Herbert.
Right now, it’s a foregone conclusion that quarterbacks will go off the board with the first three selections in the draft. This is the way it’s trending.
- Chicago Williams: Caleb Williams, USC
- New England Patriots: Drake Maye, North Carolina
- Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, LSU
If that is indeed how it plays out, Los Angeles will be guaranteed one of either Nabers or former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. at five.
There is also a scenario that the Arizona Cardinals move down from four with a quarterback-needy team. Rumors have pointed in this direction with the Minnesota Vikings continued to be linked to Michigan product J.J. McCarthy. This would give Harbaugh his pick between Nabers and Harrison Jr.
For pretty much the past two calendar years, Harrison Jr. has been seen as the consensus No. 1 receiver in the class. Nabers has since closed the gap a ton and is seen as potentially being more dynamic than his counterpart.
“(Ja’Marr) Chase was more of a dude physically and (Justin) Jefferson was already really skilled when he came out, but you can see some flashes of both of those guys with the way [Nabers] plays,” AFC executive to NFL.com.
Last season saw the 6-foot Nabers catch 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’d be an immediate contributor if this is the direction the Chargers decide to go in.