2024 offseason primer: Chargers boldly going all-in on Jim Harbaugh

Here’s what else you need to know about L.A.’s offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE:  -$44.02M (fourth worst in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: QB Easton Stick; RBs Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelly; WRs Jalen Guyton, Alex Erickson, Keelan Doss, Darius Shepherd; TEs Gerald Everett, Nick Vannett; OT Foster Sarell; OG Zack Bailey; Centers Will Clapp, Cameron Tom

Defense: DTs Austin Johnson, Nick Williams; LBs Kenneth Murray, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Tanner Muse; CBs Michael Davis, Essang Bassey; Safeties Alohi Gilman, Jaylinn Hawkins, A.J. Finley, Raheem Layne

Special teams: Kicker Cameron Dicker

Outlook: Given the back-and-forth during the season regarding a new contract (Ekeler’s insistence on one and L.A.'s refusal to give one) it’s hard to see the 28-year-old RB re-signing. Everett should be a priority given the Chargers’ lack of tight end depth behind Donald Parham, but he could want to test the market. Clapp played 699 offensive snaps and was the team’s primary center, so I’d expect him to be retained. 

Defensively, Murray was the Chargers’ third-leading tackler (107) and the heart of the defense. At 25 with multiple 100-tackle seasons under his belt, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be brought back if L.A. can afford it. Dicker made 93.9% of his field goals, and he’s only 23, so he should be back on a relatively cheap deal.

 2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (No. 5 overall) | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): CB, OL, Edge-rusher, RB, TE — There’s no question L.A.’s top need is in the secondary, but the fifth overall pick is a bit too early to take any of the top-rated cornerbacks in the draft. That said, don’t be surprised if the Chargers are tempted by either Georgia tight end Brock Bowers or LSU receiver Malik Nabers — both should still be on the board at No. 5, and both may be too enticing for Harbaugh to pass up. 

L.A. could also look to upgrade at right tackle with Joe Alt, Ola Fashanu and Taliese Fuaga all available as well. The team will likely address needs at edge-rusher and running back in Rounds 2 and 3. Don’t sleep on RB Blake Corum, who rushed for 3,737 yards and 58 touchdowns for Harbaugh at Michigan.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame; Ola Fashanu, OT, Penn State, Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State; Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia; Malik Nabers, WR, LSU; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama; Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama; Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State; Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington; Blake Corum, RB, Michigan; Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:

• How do the Chargers navigate their salary cap purgatory?
• Is Harbaugh the guy to finally get QB Justin Herbert deep into the playoffs?
• How many drastic changes are made to fix a defense that ranked 28th in 2023?