Los Angeles Chargers Are Poised To Strike At Five

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Despite the allure of fireworks and a flashy move, we predict clean and boring. The Los Angeles Chargers are poised to strike with pick five, but they don’t have to do anything in order to win.

Prepare for the intense sports debate that only sibling rivalry can conjure. Seesaw Sports, where Dan Salem and Todd Salem throw down on the NFL, MLB, NBA and more. Only on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate sports.

 

Questions, smoke screens, and gamesmanship abound as we are just a few, short weeks away from the NFL Draft. For a long while, it was assumed what would happen at each of the first four slots in the draft. It still may be true, but the narratives are rearranging.

Reports are New England may pass on the third QB off the board. Even more amazingly, Arizona may pass on Marvin Harrison Jr to trade back and build a larger asset chest. Everything seems up in the air, even at positions we thought were written in pen.

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We’re not buying it. This is all storyline swing, meaning the real fireworks begin with the Los Angeles Chargers. Those first four picks are pretty set. Los Angeles at five, though, is a very different story.

 

Los Angeles Chargers Poised To Strike

 

Todd Salem: Will There Be A Shocker?

The Chargers are pulling a soft reset this offseason. With so many famous names and impact pieces out the door, the team needs a lot. Los Angeles needs offensive tackles. This draft happens to be full of elite prospects at the position. Los Angeles needs wide receivers. This draft happens to be full of elite prospects at the position.

So, is it as simple as that? The Chargers should draft their highest-rated prospect at one of those two spots? It will likely be the number one OT or number two WR in the draft. That is a pretty sweet position to be given.

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However, the nature of 2024 is that OT and WR are deep, so trading back could still allow this team to come away with an elite player at those spots. That is where trading down seems to make sense. One thing LA does not need is a franchise quarterback. One logical step follows the other. A QB-needy team will try as hard as it can to jump the New York Giants at six and take what is likely the fourth QB off the board. The Chargers can take the trade return and still find an OT or WR later in round one.

I personally think the lure of the best tackle in the draft may be too strong, and LA stays put at five. We know Jim Harbaugh wants to build through the line. This is his opportunity; this is the best setup he could ask for. No other team will be taking an offensive lineman before him. The Chargers will have their pick of Joe Alt, Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, etc. Having that opportunity is hard to pass up, even for more draft assets later. As wild as a deal up to five in the draft could be, I think we end up with boring on top of boring: the Chargers stay where they are and draft an offensive lineman.

 

 

Dan Salem: Don’t Expect Fireworks

My instincts are equally boring, but for different reasons. Take a long hard look at last season. What truly changed around the league? Very little. Teams are all in quite similar situations as they were one year ago, with a handful of exceptions, namely the Texans. This tells me we are not getting any fireworks in the NFL Draft until the first ten picks are off the board. Everyone is needy and their needs can be met with the picks they earned last season.

I don’t buy any of the media shenanigans, especially this year because there is nowhere else for a team to get a quarterback or offensive lineman that may be elite. The key phrase is “may be” because the small chance of greatness far outweighs the known commodity of an average free agent. This is why Los Angeles will likely get its pick of WR or OL. Furthermore, because Justin Herbert has proven himself to excel regardless of the circumstances, the Chargers will select a lineman to protect him.

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Three quarterbacks will be chosen before Los Angeles is on the clock at five. I believe one of the key reasons that Bill Belichick is out in New England is likely because he would have selected an OL or Marvin Harrison Jr. with their pick. Give a savvy veteran quarterback a true weapon or real protection and watch them excel. Instead the Patriots are actually resetting, meaning Arizona will decide who the Chargers select.

If the Cardinals choose to protect Kyler Murray, who does enjoy running, then Harrison Jr. is going to Los Angeles. I don’t believe the Chargers pass on him. That would be a truly foolish decision. If the Cardinals avoid making the foolish decision, then Los Angeles gets a lineman themselves. It’s simple and clean, until the Giants are on the clock at six. If there will be fireworks, this is where they begin.

 

Meet our Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

Los Angeles Chargers Photo Credits: yardbarker.com and si.com via Getty Images

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