C
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers drew a line under the quarterback search with McCarthy: C.
by aydenc ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 0 steals
· 7 reaches
The Chargers looked at the value chart, folded it up, and took Chris Hilton Jr. at No. 226 regardless, 180 picks early. Some smart calls, some head-scratchers, and a C in the wash.
So much rides on J.J. McCarthy that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. They punted on interior defensive lineman, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
Job largely done: edge rusher settled and 6 of 8 of the wish list covered. Almost all the early capital went to that side of the ball.
If J.J. McCarthy and a couple of the gambles land, hindsight will be kinder than this grade.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 5 they get the arm they will build around, a steep price for the projection. A real need, handled.
A big swing on Blake Corum at Round 2, Pick 5, well ahead of any board in the building. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A premium they did not need to pay, Roman Wilson a notch or two before his time. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Drake Nugent this early at pick No. 105. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, AJ Barner well ahead of where he belonged. A need, and now a little less of one.
The board had cheaper options than Jaylen Harrell at the Round 6 slot, and it noticed. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Value said wait; Chris Hilton Jr. in pick 226 says they were not listening. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.