Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh: Fifth selection could be like No. 1 draft pick

New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh believes his team is an advantageous position with the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The reason? There could be a flurry of quarterbacks taken before the Chargers are on the clock.

"There's talk of four quarterbacks going in the first four picks. Boy, if that happens, that pick really becomes like the No. 1 pick in the draft," Harbaugh told reporters at the NFL annual league meeting in Orlando. "If four quarterbacks go in the first four picks, that's not like the fifth pick anymore. That's like the No. 1 pick of the draft for teams that have a great quarterback already.

"I mean, maybe four quarterbacks don't go in a row -- it's unprecedented that's ever happened. … But maybe there's still another quarterback there when the fifth pick comes around and somebody wants to ... again, that'd be like the No. 1 pick."

The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals are the four teams in front of the Chargers at the top of the first round. The Cardinals are the only team among the four with a franchise quarterback in place.

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Many anticipate quarterbacks Caleb Williams (USC), Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina) to be the first three picks in the draft.

Quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) and Bo Nix (Oregon) are also potential first-round picks.  

Harbaugh has championed McCarthy, his former Michigan quarterback, as the top QB in this year’s draft. However, it could be some gamesmanship by Harbaugh because the more quarterbacks are selected before the No. 5 pick benefits the Chargers.

Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz have both indicated they are open to trading out of the No. 4 and No. 5 picks, respectively.

If the Chargers do stay put at No. 5, they’ll likely be able to select one of the top non-quarterback prospects available.

“If it comes around to us, and we’re on the clock at No. 5, we know that we got a great player that’s gonna be there for us,” Harbaugh said. “It’s an exciting pick.”

Players the Chargers should target at No. 5

In the event the Chargers don’t trade down, the club could target a wide receiver after their receiving room was depleted this offseason. Keenan Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears and Mike Williams was let go and subsequently signed with the New York Jets.

Harbaugh said he talked to quarterback Justin Herbert about the team’s wide receiver depth.

“I’ve been talking to Justin every chance I get,” Harbaugh said. “Talking about cadence, putting in the scheme offense and defense.”

Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers' and Washington’s Rome Odunze are the consensus top three wide receivers in the 2024 draft.

Offensive tackle is another possibility for the Chargers at No. 5. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu and JC Latham are ranked as USA TODAY Sports’ top three tackles in the upcoming draft.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.