3 biggest Chargers 2024 NFL Draft mistakes

This is one of the biggest surprises and the biggest mistake they made. The tight end room consists of Will Dissly, Donald Parham Jr., and Hayden Hurst. Are those capable options? Sure. But, are any of them going to pose a real threat to defenses? Most likely not.

Gerald Everett left in the offseason, but the Chargers signed both Dissly and Hurst, veterans who provide experience at the position. Parham is a guy who has shown flashes of potential but just hasn’t been able to stay healthy and play enough.

Some reports had the Chargers selecting Georgia star tight end Brock Bowers, although they would’ve most likely traded down to take him.

Tanner McLachlan, Jaheim Bell, and Devin Culp were all tight ends selected in the final two rounds. Six tight ends heard their names called in the fourth round of the draft, including Erick All and Theo Johnson as well as Ja’Tavion Sanders.

This could be a moot point if Dissly, Parham, and Hurst end up working out. But, it seemed like tight end was a position of need for Los Angeles, and they didn’t address it during the draft. They did sign a couple of undrafted free agent tight ends, so it will be interesting to see how things play out.

Not selecting a cornerback in the first three rounds 

This one is a bit more tricky. The Chargers also needed to address the cornerback position. Technically they did during the draft. The Chargers drafted Tarheeb Still from Maryland and Cam Hart from Notre Dame, both in the fifth round. But, they probably could’ve benefited from drafting one a bit earlier during the draft.

For example, Iowa star Cooper DeJean was on the board in the second round when the Chargers traded up and selected Ladd McConkey. In the fourth round, Khyree Jackson from Oregon and Decamerion Richardson from Mississippi State went a few picks after LA selected Alabama DT Justin Eboigbe.

Those are just a few situations, although passing on DeJean for McConkey makes sense given LA’s desperate need for a wide receiver. Nonetheless, they did select tow cornerbacks in the fifth round, but there were other options earlier that might turn out to be better prospects.

Chargers not choosing a center 

This one is perhaps the most surprising development for LA. In some cases, LA had been projected to select Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. Instead, they selected McConkey. But, still, center is another position of need, or was expected to be.

Even though LA didn’t select a center during the seven rounds, they did sign Bucky Williams to a UDFA deal. He played college ball at Appalachian State and had impressive stats during that time. He was named to the first-team All-Sun Belt and played 14 games at right guard. However, there is some scenario where he makes the move to center.

All in all, the Chargers not selecting a center was another head-scratcher of sorts, but they hit a few home runs in this draft, including USC WR Brenden Rice, who was chosen in the seventh round.