It took Raiders rookie one start to prove Chargers may have fumbled 2024 draft

The fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was a highly debated topic and when the dust ultimately settled, the LA Chargers opted to beef up the offensive line with Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt.

It is impossible not to be happy with Alt's performance thus far as he has instantly been an above-average right tackle in his young NFL career. However, even with his success the Chargers are still immensely struggling to protect Justin Herbert due to all the dysfunction on the interior offensive line. Even with Alt and Rashawn Slater, who both were out in Week 4, the Chargers rank second to last in pass-block win rate.

Throw in one of the most underwhelming receiving corps in the league and it is not hard to see why Herbert is near the bottom of the league's passing yards rankings. A quarterback as elite as Herbert should never rank this low, but alas, this is the reality for the Chargers.

While Alt has been undeniably solid, there is an alternate reality in which the Chargers could have addressed both the pass-catching weapons and the interior offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft. That alternate reality was further highlighted in Week 4, as Las Vegas Raiders rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson turned in a fantastic showing in his first start as a pro.

Jackson Powers-Johnson's strong first start highlights what-if draft scenario for Chargers

Powers-Johnson did not start the first three games of the season due to a shoulder injury that limited him in the preseason and training camp as well. JPJ got some playing time in Week 3 and after proving he was ready then, he started in Week 4 and passed with flying colors.

For those who may not remember, JPJ was the top-ranked center prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft and there was legitimate belief he would be drafted in the first round. It was considered a dream scenario for JPJ to fall to the Chargers at 37 as not many expected it to happen. Ultimately, JPJ fell to the 44th pick.

If the Chargers knew without a shadow of a doubt that Powers-Johnson would fall to them in the second round then it may have impacted the team's first-round decision.

The Chargers' offensive struggles in 2023 were a result of poor interior offensive line play and awful communication once Corey Linsley was out of action. While Trey Pipkins was not perfect, the Chargers' woes were not caused by him at right tackle.

So while the Chargers improved at tackle, they did not improve the true area of weakness. Zion Johnson has continued to disappoint, Bradley Bozeman has proven to be a back contingency plan at center (which should have been predictable) and Pipkins, who already wasn't great, isn't a perfect fit at right guard.

As great as Alt is, there is a world in which many of these issues are fixed with Powers-Johnson manning the ship at the center position. It is unlikely the Chargers' offensive line would have been miles better with JPJ over Alt, but it very well could have been just as good.

In addition to an offensive line that was just as good, the Chargers also could have added Malik Nabers, who has been a sensation for the New York Giants. It was so obvious leading into the draft Nabers was an elite franchise receiver and the Chargers passed on him despite the need at WR.

Instead, the team drafted Alt and traded up to take Ladd McConkey in the second round. Alt and McConkey are both great, and Chargers fans are happy with the results, but the Chargers very well could have gotten the worse version of the win-win from the 2024 NFL Draft.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and there is no idea to ever know what the team would have done if it could guarantee JPJ with the 37th pick. But knowing what we know through four weeks, it isn't crazy to suggest the Chargers would have been better off with Nabers and JPJ.