The 2024 NFL draft is a little under three months away, and your Los Angeles Chargers hold the coveted number five pick.
Considering how deep this year's draft is, anybody could be the number five pick, whether that's a wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, or maybe cornerback. Nonetheless, many eyes will be on what the Chargers will do with the pick and who they will draft.
It's all a mystery right now, but if you ask NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, he believes LA should trade down in late April.
In Zierlein's latest mock draft, he has the Chargers trading down to number eight with the Atlanta Falcons and drafting Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
"Arnold fits the mold of press corner that Jim Harbaugh employed at Michigan," Zierlein writes. "Cornerback is clearly one of the top needs on the board for the Chargers."
The Chargers need an elite defensive back, and there's no question Arnold fits the bill. The former five-star cornerback was fantastic for the Tide all season long. He led Alabama with five interceptions and was named first-team All-America by the Associated Press and a second-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association.
His playing time increased in 2023 with Alabama, and he made the most of it. he collected 47 tackles, 13 assists, 21 stops, 12 pass breakups, and an elite quarterback rating when targeted of 52.5
He could be a great fit in Jesse Minter's defense as he shows patience and aggression at the line of scrimmage, has efficient footwork, is a heavy-hitting tackler who wraps up well, and could play safety if needed.
The 20-year-old is as elite as they come at his position this draft. The Chargers could use all the help they could get on defense, and drafting Arnold could only propel the defensive unit.