With the NFL Draft just over two weeks away all 32 teams across the league are in the final stages of their preparations for the three-day selection event. This includes the Los Angeles Chargers, now under the leadership of new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
As the draft approaches, NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha has identified the most pressing question facing each of the 16 AFC teams. For Los Angeles, the primary concern appears to be bolstering their offensive weaponry.
“There was no mystery about what the Los Angeles Chargers offense needed at the end of last season.”
“There was no mystery about what the Chargers offense needed at the end of last season. As much as head coach Jim Harbaugh raved about quarterback Justin Herbert, there simply weren’t enough weapons on that side of the ball to consistently scare defenses. LA has made a few moves to address that problem, signing running back Najee Harris, wide receiver Mike Williams and tight end Tyler Conklin—but more help needs to be coming through the draft.”
Armed with 10 draft picks, including the 22nd overall selection and at least one pick in each of the seven rounds (with a notable four selections in the sixth round), the Chargers, under Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz, have ample opportunity to address their needs.
Chadiha raises the question of whether the team might consider packaging some of their picks to move up in the second or third round to secure an additional offensive playmaker. He emphasizes that the Chargers still require more impactful receivers beyond Ladd McConkey, who is currently the only player fitting that description.
While the return of Mike Williams to Los Angeles is a positive, his injury history and recent limited production raise concerns about relying solely on him.
To further enhance their offensive capabilities, Chadiha suggests that the Chargers could significantly benefit from a tight end with downfield receiving ability, making Harbaugh’s former player at Michigan, Colston Loveland, a compelling option if available at pick No. 22.
The Chargers made promising strides in Year 1 of the Harbaugh era, and a successful draft focused on offensive talent will be crucial to maintaining that momentum in Year 2, especially within a competitive AFC West that saw three teams reach the playoffs in 2024.
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