• Round 1, Pick 9: DI Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois: He earned an elite 91.5 run-defense grade in 2023 and has posted pass-rush grades above 82.0 in each of the past two seasons.
• Round 3, Pick 73: DI T'Vondre Sweat, Texas: His specialty is run defense, as evidenced by his 91.7 run-defense grade this season. But his imposing size and strength also help him push the pocket as a pass-rusher.
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The Los Angeles Chargers‘ postseason hopes are fading fast. But on the bright side, they hold the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft due to their 4-7 record.
Here is a five-round Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL mock draft.
ROUND 1, PICK 9: DI JER’ZHAN NEWTON, ILLINOIS
The Chargers haven't been good enough up front for a few seasons now. Plus, Austin Johnson and Nick Williams are both pending free agents this March, so changes will likely occur, regardless.
Newton is the top interior defensive lineman in this class — and might be the only first-rounder at his position. He earned an elite 91.5 run-defense grade in 2023 and has posted pass-rush grades above 82.0 in each of the past two seasons. He wins with a lightning-quick first step, paired with fast and violent hands that consistently get him past his blockers. He provides three-down ability from a three-technique spot.
ROUND 2, PICK 41: CB QUINYON MITCHELL, TOLEDO
The J.C. Jackson signing turned out to be a disaster for the Chargers, and once he was out of the lineup (and even when he was in, if we’re being honest), it was clear the team needed more cornerback talent.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Mitchell has been one of the most productive cornerbacks in the country over the past two seasons. He has posted elite coverage grades above 90.0 in each of the past two seasons and has forced 34 incompletions in the same span — the most of any cornerback by seven (Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry is next with 27).
ROUND 3, PICK 73: DI T’VONDRE SWEAT, TEXAS
I like my Chargers mock drafts the way I like my Chipotle burrito bowls: double meat.
Los Angeles' interior defensive line needs a complete overhaul. Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton would be a consistent three-technique player for the team, and here I have the Chargers double-dipping at the position with one of the most imposing players in college football
Sweat is listed at 6-foot-4 and 362 pounds. His specialty is run defense, as evidenced by his 91.7 run-defense grade this season. But his imposing size and strength also help him push the pocket as a pass-rusher. There’s room for both Newton and Sweat to secure playing time on this defensive line.
ROUND 4, PICK 109: RB AUDRIC ESTIME, NOTRE DAME
Austin Ekeler is in the last year of his contract, and after negotiations for an extension did not go well this summer, there is certainly reason to believe he won’t be on the team next year.
Estime has a 94.1 rushing grade this season, the highest mark in the FBS. His 18 rushing scores trail only Blake Corum and Ollie Gordon. He also has a healthy 0.30 missed tackles forced per attempt figure and a 4.3 yards after contact average. He brings NFL size at 5-foot-11 and 227 pounds.
ROUND 5, PICK 146: WR BRU McCOY, TENNESSEE
Speaking of NFL size, McCoy would be a nice addition early on Day 3. He’s not a separation specialist with speed like the Chargers need, but those kinds of players are usually gone by this point in the draft. What McCoy does bring to the table is unique weight-adjusted athletic ability.
He is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds and was once a top-10 recruit as a five-star high school football player. Over the years, he has shown flashes of dominance at the catch point and against press coverage, but it hasn’t been consistent. He suffered a fractured ankle this season, so his recovery will factor into where he is drafted. But he is worth taking a chance on.
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