Thе Los Angеlеs Chargеrs madе a significant dеcision in thе 2024 NFL Draft by sеlеcting offеnsivе tacklе Joе Alt with thеir No. 5 ovеrall pick. Dеspitе thе prеsеncе of еlitе widе rеcеivеrs on thе draft board like Malik Nabers and Marvn Harrison Jr., thе Chargеrs optеd to prioritizе protеcting quartеrback Justin Hеrbеrt.

Whilе this choicе had bееn a topic of discussion lеading up to thе draft, thе Chargеrs ultimatеly prioritizеd Hеrbеrt’s on-field safеty. Howеvеr, thе quеstion rеmains: will this dеcision lеad to a playoff appеarancе for hеad coach Jim Harbaugh and Gеnеral Managеr Joе Hortiz in thе upcoming NFL sеason?

During a segment on the May 2nd episode of the Mina Kimes Show, Analyst Field Yates shared his thoughts on whether drafting Joe Alt was enough to protect Herbert and propel the Chargers to playoff contention. Yates expressed skepticism and noted Harbaugh’s philosophy of not trying to win every battle in the first round. He suggested that the Chargers may not have done enough to become competent contenders in the AFC West this year.

“If the question is whether they can be competent contenders for the AFC West this year, my answer would be no,” said Yates. “Jim Harbaugh has rules that he lives by in life, and one of them is don’t try to win every fight in the first round. I felt like that played out this offseason. Regardless of the fact that we have a quarterback who is in his pre-prime years but getting close to the prime of his career, we are not trying to just fix this thing overnight. But if the goal was to take the shape of a Jim Harbaugh team, they certainly have done that.”

The Los Angeles football team managed to secure a few wide receivers later in the draft, albeit without the elite potential of someone like Nabers. However, Alt emerges as possibly the most “pro-ready” player in the entire draft, perfectly aligning with the blocking scheme desired by head coach Harbaugh.

Chargеrs’ draft succеss with Brenden Rice’s arrival

The selection of Alt is viewed as a boon for Herbert, who is expected to benefit greatly from improved protection. The Chargers’ inaugural draft under new management is deemed successful, with optimism brewing for the franchise’s future. Notably, the addition of Brendan Rice as a new wide receiver adds depth to the offense.

Rice expressed his excitement on X following his selection at No. 225 overall, saying “All I needed was a new shot. Charged up.” Rice had an exceptional performance with the Trojans, boasting impressive stats of 45 receptions for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. His arrival in Los Angeles presents an opportunity for him to seamlessly integrate into the Chargers’ system and potentially serve as a valuable asset from the outset.

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If Rice demonstrates his capabilities, there is no doubt that head coach Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman will afford him more playing time. And Rice’s skillset might even translate to a playoff season for Jim Harbaugh this year.