The 2024 season was heartbreaking for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. They could have reached the divisional round, and then in the championship round, but it didn’t happen. The Chargers fell short of 20 points, which is a pretty good gap, against the Houston Texans. So, to not repeat that mistake, the Chargers are going to draft young, super-talented prospects to the team.

It will be Jim Harbaugh’s second year with the Los Angeles team. Actually, after winning college football in 2022, reaching the wild-card round in his first year was a great learning experience for Jim Harbaugh. But while applauding what the HC has achieved, we can’t overlook the strategic problems. The main problem being the defense. So here’s what the team can do to strengthen their defense in the draft.

Round 1 (22nd overall pick): Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

So, the first defender the Chargers should draft would be Walter Nolen of Ole Miss. He has played with one of the top QB prospects for this class, Jaxson Dart. To talk specifically about Walter Nolen, the former Texas A&M player has made 26 solo tackles in the 2024 season out of his total 48 tackles. And that’s not the end, the 6’4” DT has made a college career-high 6.5 sacks. 

And not just his college stats, in the NFL Combines, Nolen made a lasting impression on NFL scouts. With an 80 overall score, he was 2nd among the defensive tackles, where his production score was also above 80. With the help of such a strong defensive player, the Bolts can really go forward. Currently, Jim Harbaugh’s team has seven DTs, but adding this one would make other DTs feel futile for sure. 

Round 2 (55th overall pick): Quinshon Judskin, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes

After drafting Walter Nolen, there is a need to draft this 3784-yard weapon for Justin Herbert. The college football national champion of 2024 absolutely dominated the 2024 season with those lightning plays. In the 2024 season, when the Buckeyes hoisted their 10th trophy, Judskin made a staggering 194 rushing attempts and he was successful in scoring 14 touchdowns. 

Just imagine him competing with Najee Harris and helping out Justin Herbert to knock down the opponent’s defensive side. In the 2024 championship final, Quinshon Judskin had done superb work by making 11 rushing attempts for 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns. But there would be tough competition among most NFL teams to draft him. Let’s see if Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers can pick him up at the right spot.

Round 3 (86th overall pick): Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan Wolverines 

The Chargers also have the opportunity to grab a national champion defensive talent, Josaiah Stewart. He has played college football at Coastal Carolina and, of course, for the Michigan Wolverines, where he won the national championship. And most importantly, Jim Harbaugh was a major part of his team; that is, the Chargers’ HC was the head coach of the Michigan team and led them to a trophy. 

And if we look at his stats, they are quite good. In the 2024 season, Stewart sacked a total of 30 QBs. Yes, 30. And to go deeper, he has made a total of 151 tackles, out of which more than 56% were solo tackles. So, no need to stretch more. If Jim Harbaugh picks this talent up, for sure, he or the Chargers would not regret the decision. 

Round 4 (125th overall pick): Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame

For all five years, college football player Rylie Mills played only for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2020 to 2024. As we all know, they lost the championship in 2024 to the Buckeyes, but his performances never faded away from scouts’ minds. Starting a career with 0.5 sacks, Mills made a name by making 7.5 sacks in 2024.

In the 2024 season, he made 19 solo tackles. So, just imagine if we add this defensive end while adding Quishon Judskin in the offense, won’t Harbaugh have a ‘Killer’ combo.

Round 5 (158th overall): Mitchell Evans, Tight end, Notre Dame

This talented prospect is also from Notre Dame. Evans made a college football debut in 2021 after completing high school in Wadsworth, Ohio. His high school days might not be that great, but his performance at the college level was insane. The 22-year-old played for four seasons for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2021 to 2024, and made 75 receptions out of which 43 are from the 2024 season. 

If we talk about the combined stats, it’s all green. Whether it’s a production score, athleticism score, or total score, it’s all green. And what was his attitude before the combine? “I’ve done all the drills. I’ve practiced interviewing. It’s really just talking football, so it’s not like I have to really prep for that in a sense. I’m just going to go and be myself, so I’m prepared. I have nothing to really be nervous about.” This is what Mitchell Evans said. So, we would like to recommend the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh to pick him up at any cost. 

Round 6 (181st overall pick): Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., defensive lineman, Virginia Tech 

The 23-year-old Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr has played his three years of college football season with the Florida team from 2020 to 2022. Then he was transferred to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Chesapeake, Virginia-born has played his last season in 2024, and it became a turning point in his life. 

In a single season, Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr has made 16 sacks while defending the team with 43 total tackles and 29 solo tackles. And as I said, his 16 sacks turned heads in 2024, making scouts run behind him. He is supposed to be picked up in the 6th round, but looking at the need for defensive players, he might get drafted in the 3rd or 4th round itself. Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers got this pick from the New England Patriots, let’s see how the Chargers gonna go forward. 

Round 6 (199th overall pick): Junior Tafuna, defensive tackle, Utah Utes

If the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh decided to keep one defender as a backup, drafting Junior Tafuna would be a great choice. And why are we saying it’s a backup? Well, there could be many reasons, but his stats and NFL combine scores are not that great. We know that poor stats do not mean a disastrous future.

He made 0.5 sacks in the 2024 season, while his 9 solo tackles helped the team improve in the 2024 season’s win-loss record. So, it’s a great idea to have a backup defender like him. And if he plays better than the current players, then he can surely be a starter down the line. 

Round 6 (209th overall pick): Tate Ratledge, offensive guard, Georgia Bulldogs

We know that Justin Herbert is a star, and he has learned a lot throughout his career to make good plays. Goff was 9th in passing yards, 12th in scoring TDs, but you know, protecting such a mobile and quick QB is a task. And as Herbert was sacked 41 times in a single season, the Chargers really needed a protective guard for him. 

And the Chargers can do so by drafting Tate Ratledge. But the Chargers are not the only team, as according to Motociclismo, the Titans are also eying this Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman.

Round 6 (214th overall pick): Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Robert Longerbeam, who has played all four years of college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, will now play for NFL teams, and we think Jim Harbaugh should get this deal done. Though their team was 9th in the Big Ten, Longerbeam’s 25 solo tackles brought an energy to some extent to play harder.

In the 2024 season, he also made interceptions., as well as 2 sacks. It would be pretty misleading to say that the sacks are low, as the cornerback’s main job is not to sack but to restrict rushing players from gaining yards. 

Round 7 (256th overall pick): Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan Wolverines 

Currently, the Chargers have three tight ends- Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, and Tucker Fisk– but there is a lack of strong leadership amongst the tight ends to lead the team. We can’t say they are mediocre, but great performances are missing. And to fill out that space, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers can draft Colston Loveland of the Michigan Wolverines.

And obviously, the pick will be perfect as Jim Harbaugh knows Colston Loveland. This TE has played for Jim Harbaugh’s college team from 2022 to 2024. And in the last season, Colston Loveland made 56 receptions for 582 yards, while landing five touchdowns.

All in all, the 2024 season didn’t go the way the Chargers hoped. But it wasn’t without its bright spots. Jim Harbaugh’s first year in the NFL after his college success showed promise. And with a clearer understanding of what needs fixing, especially on defense, the Chargers are in a solid position to bounce back. The draft is the perfect opportunity to reload with young talent. If they get it right, 2025 could be a whole different story.