Chargers' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets

The Los Angeles Chargers will most likely kick off the Jim Harbaugh era with the selection of an offensive player with the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Chargers need offensive line help and are in line to have their pick of the top interior prospects.

Harbaugh and his staff could also find Justin Herbert's new No. 1 pass-catcher in the form of Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers.

The Chargers will most likely not be in the mix for Marvin Harrison Jr., but the No. 2 and No. 3 wide receiver prospects in the draft class will be there for the choosing.

Los Angeles' decision could come down to one factor. It needs to weigh whether it can get a starting caliber offensive tackle or wide receiver later in the draft, and with the depth at wide receiver in the draft class, the smart move may be to shore up the space in front of Herbert first.

Joe Alt might be the safest pick in the entire draft class.

Alt is the top offensive line prospect and is expected to have a decades-long career in the NFL.

Harbaugh built his Michigan teams around the trenches, so it would be wise for him to take the same approach back to the NFL with the Chargers.

Alt would shore up the protection for Herbert and he could form a tremendous combination with Rashawn Slater at tackle for years.

The Chargers could then go after a wide receiver with the No. 37 overall pick in the second round, or trade back into the first round.

Wide receiver is one of the deepest positions in the draft class, so it may be wise for the Chargers to take Alt first and then go after a dynamic pass-catcher.

After all, the ball can't be thrown to the flashy new weapons if the protection is not good.

Rome Odunze should be the top wide receiver available to the Chargers.

There is still a dream scenario in which the Arizona Cardinals trade out of the No. 4 pick with a quarterback-hungry team and let Marvin Harrison Jr. drop to No. 5.

However, the Cardinals are not desperate to collect more draft picks and would likely require a king's ransom in return to move off picking Harrison.

Odunze was a two-time 1,000-yard wide out at Washington and would be an excellent fit inside the Chargers offense.

The Chargers must get younger at wide receiver in the draft after the offseason departures of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.

Odunze would immediately sit on top of the Chargers depth chart and give the Chargers a big-play wide out who can help elevate Herbert's game in the first season of a new era.

Odunze's college teammate could be on the Chargers radar in the second round if they select Alt at No. 5.

Jalen McMillan is the No. 6 wide receiver in the draft class according to Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department. He went at No. 44 in its latest mock draft.

McMillan only had one 1,000-yard season at Washington, but he was a vital piece of the Huskies' run to the College Football Playoff National Championship last season.

McMillan will likely be available at No. 37, which is important for the Chargers so they do not have to reach back into the first round for a wide receiver.

He may not be as highly rated as Harrison or Odunze, but McMillan could still be as productive in the NFL and form a solid one-two duo with Quentin Johnston.

In this scenario, the Chargers likely would not have to use any of their draft capital to trade up and that would be a huge help for the franchise trying to rebuild at certain spots ahead of Harbaugh's first season in charge.