Matt Levine's 7-Round Chargers Mock Draft 1.0

The Los Angeles Chargers hold the 5th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft after finishing the 2023 season with a disappointing 5-12 record. It led them to fire former head coach Brandon Staley, but they now have a new buzz with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. 

Harbaugh comes over from leading the Univerity of Michigan to a National Championship, and he will be taking on his first role in the NFL since the 2014 season. He will be tasked with helping the Bolts get back into a place of contention, and it all starts with how the draft plays out. 

Here is a seven-round mock draft for the Chargers. The draft selection spots past the third round are projections via Over the Cap.

Round 1 - #5: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Alt has been mocked by the Bolts a few times already, but for good reason. Harbaugh loves to build his teams with strong play in the trenches, and he is looking to do the same with the Chargers.

The name of the game is protecting star quarterback Justin Herbert, and the best way to do that is by beefing up the offensive line. Grabbing someone as dependable as Alt to pair with Rashawn Slater gives Herbert protection on both sides of the line. 

Alt was great with Notre Dame last season, allowing just one sack in 713 snaps. He uses his athleticism and size to his advantage, pushing off defenders. He is great at picking up double-team blocks in the run game, which is something Harbaugh values. 

This would be a home run pick by the Chargers to kick off the new regime in Los Angeles.

Round 2 - #37: Graham Barton, C, Duke

With the Bolts going offensive line with their first pick, many would expect them to take a wide receiver or defensive player here. But I'm going against the grain and have them doubling down on offensive linemen.

Long-time center Corey Linsley said that he will likely be retiring this offseason, leaving a hole in the center of the line for the Bolts. Bringing in a guy like Barton could help fill the void and give Los Angeles a piece to work with for years.

He is great in space blocking while showcasing his range and fierceness to finish drives. Barton uses his hand motions well, pushing defenders back before their jumps. 

Barton also brings flexibility to the table, having played both at the center and tackle during his college career. Last season, he allowed two sacks in 496 snaps with no quarterback hits.

He would bring a new element to the Chargers run game while helping them build a young, sustainable front line. 

Round 3 - #69: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

After two straight offensive lineman picks, the Chargers finally go the wide receiver route. They land a player that Harbaugh is very familiar with in Wilson. 

Wilson was spectacular for the Wolverines last season, putting up 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. He understands the system that Harbaugh wants to run, which should help transition his arrival in the NFL.

With Mike Williams returning from his torn ACL, the Bolts will need help at the receiver position. Wilson should be able to give them quality snaps, and alongside him will be the hope that second-year Quentin Johnston can take that next step forward.

Round 4 - #106: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC

The USC product stays in Southern California after an explosive season with the Trojans. Lloyd transferred over to USC from South Carolina and didn't disappoint. 

In 11 games for the Trojans, Lloyd put up 820 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 232 yards to help the offense.

The Bolts may bring Austin Ekeler back into the mix so Lloyd could fill the role of his backup. His speed, size, and quickness are worth taking a gamble on while giving Harbaugh a potential upgrade depth-wise at the running back position. 

Round 5 - #139: Tykee Smith, S, Georgia

The Bolts make their first pick on the defensive side of the ball, taking Smith to help bolster the secondary. All season, the Chargers gave up explosive players to opponents, so addressing the secondary weakness is crucial. 

He is an extremely physical playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, showing the ability to lineup at both safety and the corner slot position. Smith put up 70 tackles for the Bulldogs last season, 8.5 of them for loss. He also added four interceptions and two sacks on the year.

Round 6 - #183: Eric Watts, EDGE, UConn

The Chargers got good production from their edge rushers last season, but it could always be better. If anything, this pick gives them more depth at the position to use in case of injuries.

Watts played in 12 games last season for the Huskies, putting up 34 tackles and two sacks. He has a quick first step, which he uses to his advantage, and can get off the line well using his length. Watts could be a steal this late in the draft, especially with Harbaugh at the helm coaching him up.

Round 7 - #223: Omar Speights, LB, LSU 

After joining the SEC last season, Speights recorded 70 total tackles in the 10 games he played. He showed that against better competition, he could still be a productive member of the team.

He was the sideline-to-sideline man for the Tigers, giving them a true linebacker. The Chargers need extra depth on defense, and Speights could provide that for them. He is a versatile defender who could work his way up the depth chart if given the chance.

Round 7 - #256: David White, WR, Western Carolina

The Chargers go wide receiver to close out their draft picks, giving them more depth in the room. White played in 11 games last season, putting up 519 yards and six touchdowns.

He averaged 15.3 yards per catch and could help spread the field for the Bolts. White may rise in some draft boards, but if he is there when the Chargers pick this late, they need to snatch him up quickly.