Nothing went right for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, but 2024 offers fresh optimism. Jim Harbaugh, who led Michigan to the college football national title, is in SoCal to guide Justin Herbert and the Chargers after a 5-12 season and last-place AFC West finish. 

Many pieces that were in place to have a successful bounce-back season are gone due to salary cap decisions, but the Chargers are in place to add an immediate contributor with the fifth pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league and the NFL Draft to create his hypothetical NFL futures odds on who gets selected 5th by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft Odds (No. 5)

This market is for entertainment purposes only and has been created by the Bookies.com team. It is not currently available on betting apps. Percentages will not add up to 100% most time because these are designed to simulate odds a sportsbook would set.

The Chargers got decidedly worse this off-season, because of previous salary cap mistakes. They released WR Mike Williams, traded WR Keenan Allen, and let RB Austin Ekeler go in free agency. Linebackers Kenneth Murray and Eric Kendricks are also gone, adding a hole in the middle of the defense. 

While no linebackers are considered worth taking at No. 5, there are so many priorities that the Chargers could go with a receiver, offensive tackle, or defensive pass-rusher and improve dramatically. 

But with both Williams and Allen gone, the team needs a wideout. Josh Palmer and Quintin Johnston are in the fold, but Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State or Malik Nabers of LSU would offer a major upgrade. NFL.com compared Harrison to CeeDee Lamb, and Nabers to Justin Jefferson. Both could go in the Top 5 after quarterbacks go 1-2-3. 

If a wideout goes off the board at No. 4, it’s more likely to be Harrison. That puts Nabers in L.A.’s hands. 

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It’s possible the Chargers see other spots are more concerns. Across the offensive line, only LT Rashawn Slater is considered above average at his spot. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is ranked as the No. 1 tackle on most boards, and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga is considered the top guard. Both should be around. 

So, too, will be Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, by far the top TE in the class getting comparisons to George Kittle. Harbaugh loves tight ends in his schemes, and the current combo of veteran Hayden Hurst and seldom-used Will Dissly doesn’t bring the offensive firepower. 

Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft Picks 2024

• Round 1 (Pick 5)
• Round 2 (Pick 37)
• Round 3 (Pick 69)
• Round 4 (Pick 105)
• Round 4 (Pick 110 from CHI)
• Round 5 (Pick 140)
• Round 6 (Pick 181)
• Round 7 (Pick 225)
• Round 7 (Pick 253)