The final team preview for 2024 dives into a Chargers squad that is hoping for a quick turnaround under Jim Harbaugh. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 5-12 (last in AFC West); missed playoffs
- Over/under: 8.5 wins
Notable additions
RB Gus Edwards, RB J.K. Dobbins, RB Jaret Patterson, WR DJ Chark, TE Hayden Hurst, TE Will Dissly, OT Alex Leatherwood, C Bradley Bozeman, DL Poona Ford, DL Teair Tart, LB Denzel Perryman, LB Troy Dye, LB Shaquille Quarterman, CB Kristian Fulton, S Tony Jefferson, HC Jim Harbaugh, OC Greg Roman, DC Jesse Minter, GM Joe Hortiz
Notable losses
QB Max Duggan, RB Austin Ekeler, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, WR Jalen Guyton, WR Alex Erickson, WR Keelan Doss, TE Gerald Everett, TE Nick Vannett, C Corey Linsley, C Will Clapp, DL Austin Johnson, DL Nick Williams, OLB Justin Hollins, LB Kenneth Murray Jr., LB Eric Kendricks, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB Tanner Muse, LB Blake Lynch, CB Michael Davis, CB Essang Bassey, S Dean Marlowe, S Jaylinn Hawkins, S Raheem Layne
2024 draft class
OT Joe Alt (1.05), WR Ladd McConkey (2.34), LB Junior Colson (3.69), DL Justin Eboigbe (4.105), CB Tarheeb Still (5.137), CB Cam Hart (5.140), RB Kimani Vidal (6.181), WR Brenden Rice (7.225), WR Cornelius Johnson (7.253)
Projected starters
QB: Justin Herbert
RB: Gus Edwards
WR: Ladd McConkey (R)
WR: Joshua Palmer
WR: DJ Chark
TE: Hayden Hurst
LT: Rashawn Slater
LG: Zion Johnson
C: Bradley Bozeman
RG: Trey Pipkins III
RT: Joe Alt (R)
DE: Morgan Fox
DT: Poona Ford
DE: Otito Ogbonnia
OLB: Joey Bosa
ILB: Denzel Perryman
ILB: Daiyan Henley
OLB: Khalil Mack
CB: Asante Samuel Jr.
S: Derwin James Jr.
S: Alohi Gilman
CB: Kristian Fulton
2024 outlook
There weren’t any huge splash signings, but the Chargers brought in plenty of well-known free agents offseason to remake the roster after years of disappointment and failing to reach preseason expectations. However, the biggest addition wasn’t a player, as Jim Harbaugh—fresh off a national championship at Michigan and with a 49-22-1 record with the 49ers—is back in the NFL to immediately boost a roster that frankly doesn’t appear to be in the best shape, and that’s even after trying to plug holes in free agency.
In the draft, I like what the Chargers did on both sides of the ball, but it’ll be fun to track the careers of Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey versus the potential alternate combination of Malik Nabers and Kingsley Suamataia. That is not to knock the selections, as Alt was a top-ten prospect for us, and we loved McConkey as a three-level pass-catcher; and if the priority is protecting Justin Herbert, then spending the No. 5 pick on Alt made sense. Look for a smashmouth running game to set up play-action shots for Herbert, and his health with a plantar fascia injury will be a storyline all year—particularly considering the worry about the backups behind him.
The defense is where I have more concern based on the current state of the roster for Los Angeles, but Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack staying healthy and playing up to their full potential could help them immediately contend in 2024. On the defensive interior, the mindset that Harbaugh wants to bring should get the most out of Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, and others, and perhaps both Daiyan Henley and rookie Junior Colson will emerge as starters to give them their linebacker duo of the future. On the backend, keep an eye on fifth-rounder Cam Hart working his way into a starting role next to Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton.
Position battle to watch: Right guard
Wide receiver and linebacker are the more open position battles, but I want to highlight Jamaree Salyer here as the expected backup at guard with Trey Pipkins III kicking inside. It’s an interesting move to say the least with Salyer showing strong play over the past two seasons, so he could eventually get back into the lineup if Pipkins doesn’t quite pan out on the interior.
Breakout candidate: RB Isaiah Spiller
I had a difficult time choosing a breakout candidate for the Chargers, which shows there is certainly work to be done with the roster. Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley were both options on defense, but I’ve always been a fan of Spiller’s game, and he’s been able to hold off rookie Kimani Vidal and others for the No. 3 role thus far this summer. If he can crack the roster, then Spiller—who just turned 23 a couple of weeks ago—could get a chance to showcase his all-around game under a new coaching staff.
Circle on the calendar: Week 9 (@ CLE) | Sunday, November 3 – 1:00 PM ET
The opener versus Las Vegas is another to circle with both teams expected to play a very physical brand of football, and it’ll also be cool to see the Harbaugh brothers face off a few days before Thanksgiving on a Monday Night Football matchup in LA. But I have my eyes on Week 9 with a combination of hard-hitting action and some bad blood (between Harbaugh and Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz) for a trip to Cleveland.
Bottom line
Instant success is the expectation under Jim Harbaugh, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up about a 13-win season in Year 1 like he had with the 49ers. The quarterback is in place with Justin Herbert, though, so maybe the new coaching staff will pull enough out of the roster to push for a playoff spot.