SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Chargers select J.C. Latham with 11th overall pick

After a trade back, Los Angeles was in position to pick the powerful offensive tackle from Alabama

In this SB Nation writer’s mock draft, the Los Angeles Chargers sat with the fifth overall selection and anticipated trading back. Then, the first four picks happened:

1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2. Washington Commanders – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
3. New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
4. Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Arizona Cardinals) – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Minnesota surpassed the Chargers’ trade-up offer to make a deal of their own with Arizona. That set up Los Angeles with their pick of any non-quarterback in the draft. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State could have been the pick, or even Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.

Instead, the Chargers stayed active on the phones, and talked to the Cardinals – who were still very interested in Harrison. Arizona offered the 11th overall pick acquired from the Vikings trade, as well as their original second-round pick (the 35th overall selection).

Los Angeles accepted, moving back six spots in the first round – but adding the 35th pick to their own second-round pick at 37. The compensation lines up with the Draft Pick Trade Value Chart on Pro Football Reference: The fifth overall pick is worth 1700 points, while the 11th and 35th picks add up to 1800 value points.

After the top three receivers flew off the board consecutively, the Los Angeles Rams went for the eighth pick, trading up with the Atlanta Falcons to take Alt as the first offensive lineman off the board.

Two picks later, the New York Jets took the second: Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga. That was the type of player the Chargers are targeting at 11 – but not the ideal one.

That would be Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham, who became the first draft pick in the Jim Harbaugh era.

That’s where the logic of this process comes from: In Harbaugh’s return to the NFL, he is looking to build a long-term foundation around quarterback Justin Herbert. He does need players to throw to, but historically, the draft has proven to be stocked with options early in Round 2. That range may even be stronger amid this highly acclaimed class of receiver prospects.

The duo of early Round 2 picks give Los Angeles capital to find a legitimate playmaker for Herbert later on draft weekend. If the Chargers want an elite offensive lineman, it’s fool’s gold to expect that to happen past Day 1.

Latham has as high a ceiling as any offensive tackle prospect in the class – and may have the highest floor! He stands nearly 6’6 and weighs 342 pounds, while boasting a wingspan in the 82nd percentile for offensive tackles, and 11-inch hands that register in the 95th percentile, according to Mockdraftable.com. And DraftKings Sportsbook’s odds suggest an offensive lineman will be the first position targeted by the Chargers on draft night.

With all that size, Latham controls defensive lineman in the run game, and locks up pass rushers attempting to go through him. The power is combined with smooth, quick feet, and all that came together in a very impressive way for the recently turned 21-year-old. He only started at right tackle at Alabama, but his skill set suggests he could protect the blind side if needed.

For the Chargers, that won’t matter: He’ll fit right in as the immediate starting right tackle, manning the edges of the pocket with left tackle Rashawn Slater.

Down the road, this will be looked at as an era-defining move. The team targeted one player, and navigated the board to get him at the best value. This move could become legendary if the Chargers nail either pick 35 or 37.