Chargers Viewed as Favorite to Draft Wide Receiver After Keenan Allen Trade

The Los Angeles Chargers will likely take a wide receiver in next month’s NFL draft after trading Keenan Allen to the Bears and releasing Mike Williams. 

The Chargers’ top two wide receivers currently are Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston, with Johnston being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Johnston didn’t have a spectacular rookie season with the Chargers, as he couldn’t build off the buzz he created in his final year at TCU. The former TCU standout produced 38 receptions (67 targets) for  431 and two touchdowns. 

The new Chargers’ staff will want to see more Johnston, but they will have a chance to add a top-5 talent to the wide receiver in April.

2024 NFL Draft Odds: Los Angeles Projected to Select Malik Nabers at No. 5 Pick

According to the FanDuel Sportsbook, former LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is the favorite (+200) to be selected with the fifth overall pick. Meanwhile, Former Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt and former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy have the second-best odds (+450).

If the Chargers keep the No. 5 overall pick, it’s a no-brainer for them to take Nabers to become the No. 1 option for star quarterback Justin Herbert. Former Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. is viewed as the top wide receiver in this year’s class.

However, some analysts believe that Nabers has done enough this past season at LSU to be in the same conversation with Harrison Jr. In 2023 with the Tigers, the 6-foot, 200-pound receiver went off for a career-high 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Nabers has the speed and big play ability that Los Angeles’ offense needs, with Allen and Williams not on the roster anymore. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Nabers to Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson, which is high praise, making it hard for the Chargers to pass up.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change