Chargers trade down with Vikings in 7-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
By Jason Reed
Chargers draft WR Brian Thomas Jr. with 23rd pick
The Chargers still take a wide receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and quite frankly, Brian Thomas Jr. may rise so far up the draft boards that the Chargers feel compelled to take him at 11. It certainly would not be an awful decision, and there are other cornerbacks the team could take at 23.
But with how the big boards are configured now, Thomas could fall right in the range of the early 20s and the Chargers could reap the rewards. Thomas might not be Nabers, but his lighting-fast speed would give Justin Herbert a deep-field element that simply is not there right now.
If the best version of Thomas comes to the league then the Chargers can get a WR1 that instantly makes an impact. However, he is not as sure-fire of a pick as the top three receivers in the draft, so there is some risk there.
Chargers draft LB Junior Colson with 37th pick
This is a bit early for linebacker and it would be a bit of a reach. But with the Chargers getting an extra pick in the top 25, they can afford to reach for someone who Harbaugh and Minter are very familiar with.
Junior Colson likely won't fall to the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and the Chargers know that, jumping on the selection here in this mock. Colson would give the Chargers a respectable threesome of linebackers with Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley while also being the long-term starter at the position.
Los Angeles could go with someone like Kris Jenkins or Brandon Dorlus here and save linebacker for another pick. But it might be easier for the team to add defensive line depth with cheap signings than it would be at linebacker.