Chargers News: Insiders Split On Which Player LA Should Select With Fifth Pick In NFL Draft

The Chargers should focus on drafting an explosive, productive weapon for Justin Herbert with their fifth-overall pick.

The Los Angeles Chargers are without a coach and a general manager but that doesn't stop the insiders from predicting the future, especially with the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Focusing on the offensive side of the ball, the Chargers need to draft someone who can be utilized immediately. 

Ryan Anderson of lafbnetwork.com suggests that there are two options, Brock Bowers or Malik Nabers.

Brock Bowers

Losing Gerald Everett to free agency requires the Charges to think about a potential replacement at tight end. 

Bowers, a native of Napa, Calif., is a three-time All-American and two-time John Mackey Award winner. Recognized as the best tight end in the nation, Bowers became the first player to win the award twice. He also became the third player in Bulldog history to be named a first-team All-American, joining Herschel Walker and David Pollack.

If you thought the Kyle Pitts hype was insane, meet Brock Bowers

-25% of UGA's rec yards & a record 14 TDs as a true freshmen
-Led UGA in receiving 3 straight years
-31 TDs in 40 college games
-Ran a 4.5 in high school

Not sure there is a "too high" for his high-end outcomes pic.twitter.com/LcLJA90rDM

— Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) January 19, 2024

Bowers is, without a doubt, a first-round pick. He should be in the top five but NFL.com analyst 

Daniel Jeremiah thinks he could fall as low as No. 15 simply because of his position.

Bowers is going to be tricky to place in mock drafts. The talent suggests he should be a top-five pick, but the debate about positional value could push him down as far as the Colts at No. 15.

Jeremiah via NFL.com

Malik Nabers

With the possibility of losing Mike Williams or Keenan Allen or both this offseason, why not consider giving Justin Herbert the nation's top receiver in 2023.

Malik Nabers led the FBS in receiving yards with 1,546 and was No. 2 in receiving touchdowns with 14. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. 

The best WR in the country?
Malik Nabers in 2023

1,569 Receiving Yards (#2)
• #1 in the SEC
89 Catches
• #1 in the SEC
14 Receiving TDs (#3)
• #2 in the SEC
17.6 YPR
9 100+ Yard games

Can’t guard 🎱 pic.twitter.com/MYRLgOUoyB

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 21, 2024

Nabers leaves Louisiana State as the program's all-time leader in receptions (186) and ranks No. 2 in career yardage with 2,983. He was only a Tiger for three seasons.

Jeremiah considers Nabers the most explosive wide receiver in the draft.