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It is Wednesday afternoon and there is no open thread for this week, so starting this one. @kylededi Perhaps you can move it to the Weekly Matchup News section.
Was just looking for somewhere to post this. From 2025 NFL mock draft: Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward go top 3 in polarizing class:
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Jeanty deserves every bit of praise he gets, but he isn’t the only running back in this class who will be considered in the first round. Johnson is a well-put-together athlete who runs with equal amounts power, patience and quickness. Add in that he doesn’t fumble and is reliable on passing downs, and you don’t have to squint to see why Jim Harbaugh might go this direction.
I don’t know much about the draft class yet, and I don’t anything about Johnson. But my reaction today is that I would be very disappointed with a RB in the first round.
Fortunately, I think Hortiz will be smarter than this. He was with the Ravens 1998-2023. In those 25 years, the Ravens drafted 20 RBs, but only 5 of them before the 4th round:
- 1st round (1): Jamal Lewis (2000)
- 2nd round (2): Ray Rice (2008), J.K. Dobbins (2020)
- 3rd round (2): Musa Smith (2003), Bernard Pierce (2012)
Only Dobbins in the last 12 Ravens drafts when Hortiz was with Baltimore.
I do think the Chargers need to upgrade the RB position, but I see no reason to believe it can’t be done effectively with a later round draft pick and/or veteran free agent.
@tau837 I haven’t fully started draft prep yet, but if Jeanty somehow fell to pick 20 something, I think there would be a real decision to make. I don’t know anything about Kaleb Johnson but the question to me is:
- Is it time to plop an elite skill position player/playmaker into the team like the Lions did with J Gibbs? Dan Jeremiah always suggests setting the table first (Offensive Line/Defensive Line) like the Lions did which then gives you the luxury to take an elite RB or TE (not traditionally positions of value) earlier than you otherwise would.
Maybe it’s one year too earlier in the rebuild to spend a first round pick on a RB or TE. But depending on how free agency goes, I would at least be open to the idea if the players being considered were Jeanty or Colston Loveland (the Michigan TE).
@alisterlloyd I would be more open to it at TE than RB, but I have been expecting circumstances will drive towards an Edge player or possibly IDL player in the first round, with the Edge/IDL (whichever not taken), C, TE under strongest consideration for 2nd to 4th rounds. I could see veteran free agency eliminating one of these position groups and making room for RB in 3rd/4th. So many important needs…
@tau837 I agree that I’d prefer TE over RB first (not necessarily in the first). Center, IMO, must be addressed and this draft class is far weaker than last years. Dunno what may be available there via FA. And yes, we’re quite likely to need an edge….or 2. But I really wanna see a weapon for Herbert and I think TE is the target.
@alisterlloyd FWIW, here’s an early value board (10/1/24) from a site that I’ve followed for years and consistently offers good insight.
https://www.thehuddlereport.com/value-board
@alisterlloyd Because I am a sick individual, I have already started to do a little draft prep. One thing that people are not noticing is how small Jeanty is. He’s only 5’7 Maaaybe 5’8. I am not sure if his style fits what Roman and Harbaugh want in the rushing attack. They might be more inclined for a bigger back like Omarion Hampton or Kalel Mullings. Of course, until we see who declares, we will not know the full field of prospects also, so there could be some players coming out that we are not expecting yet which could also add some more names to the list. Either way this RB class looks relatively deep so far, so I would be shocked if RB was a 1st Rd choice.
@evolz3737 this is a deep RB class from what I’m seeing so no rush to draft one high. Just my relatively uninformed opinion. 🙂
@evolz3737 I understand the concerns about Jeanty’s size, but his weight is fine, even if he’s not on the heavier side. Still, he just trucks people and runs strong. take priority over his height/weight combination. It would be great to draft a Derrick Henry clone, but he’s one of a kind.
No surprises here, including Bleacher Report being clueless. lol
Not feeling particularly confident about this game….but then I’m reminded of the key players we were missing and a hobbled Herbert and am more optimistic.
The offense has to get going and we have to pressure/contain Mahomes.
@buck-melanoma I think this will be a loss. I’m confident it will be a close game, but I suspect the Chiefs will find a way to close out the game in the final moments.
I actually feel better about this game than I was against the Ravens of which I picked them to win. Herbert plays well at Arrowhead in such rowdy atmosphere. The offense will play better, to start with a decent run game and Herbert to swing it well both long and short to mesh concepts to beat a heavy dose of man coverage and blitz-heavy Spagnuolo defense. I believe this defense will able to put consistent pressure on Mahomes while be able to control their running game w/ James at the line over Kelce in a consistent 7-man box versus the 6-man light box. Jim Harbaugh has this team so pumped up and ready for a bare knuckle fight with the Chiefs Sunday night. Chargers by 4 pts
Perryman still out, Pacheco back. That’s advantage KC. Would be great if Colson could help here.
McConkey will play, I’m sure. How effective he’ll be and long he’ll last with these injuries is the question. I believe I heard Harbaugh asked about Chark and the response was that he had an excellent week of practice. So….maybe?
Or maybe it was Reagor, not Chark. I think both should get snaps.
@buck-melanoma Again, Reagor is a 25 year old former 1st round pick. The dude is not without talent. Given the options, I think I would rather throw to him over QJ. At least the dude looks like he can get separation and occasionally catch a pass.
@kevdiego no argument here. I’m open to doing almost anything different that can shake this unit out of its stupor.
Night before game night, and I’m just screwing around, but I don’t get paid for wins and losses. I’m supposing the Chargers win Sunday night if they can pass the ball effectively and score touchdowns. Unfortunately, I ran stats from the past four games, a 3-1 stretch filled with good plays and large stretches of… unfortunateness.
Over the past four games:
Herbert
Total: 72-118-826-6/0
Avg: 18-29.5-206.5-1.5/0
Ladd
Total: 23-375-0
Avg: 5.75-93.75-0
Dissly
Total: 13-157-1
Avg: 3.25-39.25-0.25
Palmer
Total: 7-118-0
Avg: 1.75-29.5-0
QJ
Total: 6-84-2
Avg: 1.5-21-0.5
Davis
Total: 5-38-0
Avg: 1.25-9.5-0
Overall, based on this isolation, Herbert is pretty good and Ladd is absolutely amazing. Dissly is playing probably to his highest expectations. Palmer is not delivering as some (ok, I’ll just say “I”) would have hoped. Davis is a guy on the team. And QJ—and dammit I’m hoping so hard for QJ—isn’t making a difference aside from two notable TDs.
Im not worried about this game for a number of reasons, but if the Chargers want to be mentioned as a playoff contender, this game offers them the chance to put their name on the marquee. Someone needs to step up. QJ will probably get more chances. Palmer will be in for a number of plays. Chark? Who knows.
If I’m a defensive coach for KC, I’m looking at bracketing Ladd, single covering any other receiver, and running the house on the LoS. Roman has to know this and Roman has to have an answer.
A win over the Chiefs. They’re vulnerable. Even at home. This would be a huge flag planted in the Harbaugh era. Who is going to step up? Who is going to Bolt the F Up?!?!?!
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