The Los Angeles Chargers

A new image, a Jim Harbaugh image for the Chargers. Jim was brought in after winning a national championship at Michigan and having one of the best and most rounded teams in college football. Harbaugh has publicly spoken about his love for Herbert but he needs to make this team in his image to help Hebert and win games not on the back of him. Let’s see what Jim and Chargers higher ups did in the first four rounds to improve this team and see what the future now looks like.

The 5th pick Joe Alt (OT) was a minor surprise not because of where but who grabbed him. I thought a grab at Nabers was a lock here but Jim said it best “We see Lineman as skill positions too.” Alt was OT 1 or two depending on who you asked in this draft and it was a homerun for the Chargers to get a guy that Anchors like a battleship. My only knock is he has played LT his whole career and with Slater being there it’s going to be a move to RT for Alt.

Pick 34 Ladd McConkey (WR) was a need at that point, they needed to grab a young WR after losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Ladd rose up the boards not because of his stats but because of what they see in him going forward. He is a good size and has very crisp route running pair with RAC ability. Ladd will be in the lineup probably from day 1 and through the whole year so expect to see good targets coming his way.

The 69th pick Junior Colson (LB) is another very good grab for the Chargers with huge upside. Colson got better each year of college and has great tackling ability. I like his size but a 4.77 40 time does make me nervous for closing speed and getting to the gaps quick enough. He will get his share of the reps and with Harbaugh seeing him closer than anyone shows he has trust in him and will be making an impact for them soon enough. I can see him starting day 1 next to Perryman.

Pick 105 Justin Eboigbe (EDGE) is a nice grab for the future. He played outside the tackle a lot last year but will probably find himself over the guards this year with Bosa and Mack on the line. Justin came onto the scene this year for the Crimson Tide and boasted his best college season yet. Getting seven sacks and pressuring the QB a ton got him looked at and got Harbaugh’s eyes open enough to draft him.

Jim and company needed to hit on this draft and I think they did. With off-season additions they are going to be a team that runs the ball very well and wears a team down. The Chargers have continued to be a team that could not close out games and this shifts going into this year. I give this draft a good A-. I think a reasonable year is getting to the playoffs for them and winning a game. I think just getting to the dance is a success with all the new pieces and schemes they will be running.