What’s changed since the first Southern California News Group seven-round mock draft for the Chargers was printed in the paper and posted on the web? Well, for starters, the chatter about a trade back for the fifth pick has only increased as the days have passed and the draft has drawn closer to reality.
As in the first mock draft three weeks ago, we’ll stick with actually making the Chargers’ nine picks over seven rounds and forgo any attempts at predicting various trade scenarios with other teams that might alter the draft order considerably starting with the fifth pick Thursday.
This is the first draft for new Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz and he explained last week that, although he’ll make the final decisions, he’s asked for and received plenty of counsel from new coach Jim Harbaugh and others. New assistant GM Chad Alexander also has been a key source of advice.
Plenty of research went into the first mock draft, but ultimately, that one and this one boiled down to some serious guesswork. In many ways, it’s like fitting together a pile of Lego blocks and hoping they all click together to build the castle or airplane or football team you’re trying to assemble.
Round 1, Pick 5
The Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Wide receiver, Ohio State, 6-4, 205 pounds
Harrison, a Big Ten rival when Harbaugh was coaching the University of Michigan, could fall into the Chargers’ laps if the Arizona Cardinals trade back to gain draft capital and their trade partner selects a quarterback. If the Cardinals select Harrison, there are plenty of options remaining for the Chargers, who could have their pick of other top wide receivers with the fifth pick.
Other prospects considered at No. 5:
OL Joe Alt, Notre Dame
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
WR Malik Nabers, LSU
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Round 2, Pick 37
The Pick: Mike Sainristil
Cornerback, Michigan, 5-9, 182
No question, Sainristil is a tad undersized, but Harbaugh knows him well, having coached him at Michigan. He had six interceptions during the 2023 season, including two returned for touchdowns. Cornerback is a position of need for the Chargers and at least one familiar face is likely to go in the early rounds as Harbaugh puts his stamp on a revamped defense for the upcoming season.
Other prospects considered at No. 37:
OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
Round 3, Pick 69
The Pick: Kris Jenkins
Defensive tackle, Michigan, 6-3, 299
Yes, another Wolverine. Jenkins started all 15 games last season for Michigan and had 37 tackles, 4 ½ for losses with 2 ½ sacks. He was third-team All-American and second team all-Big Ten. His father, Kris, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection as a defensive tackle. What’s not to like about him?
Other prospects considered at No. 69:
RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
LB Junior Colson, Michigan
RB Blake Corrum, Michigan
Round 4, Pick 105
The Pick: T’Vondre Sweat
Defensive lineman, Texas, 6-4 ½, 366
Sweat was the Outland Trophy winner in 2023 as the nation’s top collegiate offensive or defensive lineman. His stock could drop from the third round to the fourth or later after his arrest earlier this month on charges of driving while intoxicated.
Other prospects considered at No. 105:
RB Ray Davis, Kentucky
RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
Round 4, Pick 110 (from Bears)
The Pick: Josh Proctor
Safety, Ohio State, 6-1 ½, 199
Proctor’s selection could bolster the Chargers’ secondary, which gave up 4,580 passing yards last season, second-most in the NFL. Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman are the Chargers’ projected starters, but depth would be helpful.
Other prospects considered at No. 110:
LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
LB Jaylan Ford, Texas
OL Javon Foster, Missouri
Round 5, Pick 140
The Pick: Gabriel Murphy
Edge, UCLA, 6-2, 247
Murphy had 38 tackles and eight sacks for the Bruins this past season. The Chargers would likely wait until the late rounds to add another edge rusher to their standout trio of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu.
Other prospects considered at No. 140:
CB Renardo Green, Florida State
OL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
Round 6, Pick 181
The Pick: Luke McCaffrey
Wide receiver, Rice, 6-2, 198
McCaffrey’s father, Ed, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. His brother, Christian, is a running back of some renown with the San Francisco 49ers. So, there’s a remarkable football pedigree that cannot be overlooked.
Other prospects considered at No. 181:
WR Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
WR Tahj Washington, USC
OL Trevor Keegan, Michigan
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Round 7, Pick 225
The Pick: Evan Williams
Safety, Oregon, 5-11, 200
Williams is said to play his position more like a linebacker, which isn’t all bad for a team that could use that sort of skill and mentality in the secondary. The Chargers definitely need lots of help at this position beyond James and Gilman.
Other prospects considered at No. 225:
TE Trey Knox, South Carolina
TE Mason Pline, Furman
Round 7, 253 (compensatory pick)
The Pick: Michael Barrett
Linebacker, Michigan, 5-11, 233
Barrett would be another depth addition at inside linebacker, a spot the Chargers need to bolster going into the upcoming season. Who better than another player from Michigan, someone Harbaugh coached and knows well?
Other prospects considered at No. 253:
LB Aaron Casey, Indiana
OL Elijah Klein, UTEP
