Nick Hardwick spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers and never aspired to coach, but when Jim Harbaugh called the former center he accepted a job he considers dream-like.

The Chargers new attitude starts with the drafting of a force on the offensive line, Joe Alt, adding beef to their interior defense and replacing receivers.

With college football players increasingly choosing to not leave school early because of NIL, the quality of players in the NFL draft is taking a hit.

The Chargers had nine picks in the 2024 NFL draft, picking five offensive players and four defenders. They began by taking Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.

The Chargers needed new starting receivers, and took Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey in Round 2. In Round 3, they took Michigan linebacker Junior Colson.

Joe Alt, the Chargers’ first pick in the NFL draft, comes from a family of athletes. His father was a two-time Pro Bow player and his brother played in the NHL.

Jim Harbaugh explains why Chargers drafted Notre Dame’s Joe Alt: “When we talk … about attacking on offense, offensive line is the tip of the spear.”

USC produced the top pick of the NFL draft in Caleb Williams, and UCLA produced the first defensive player selected in Laiatu Latu, taken 15th.

Many thought the Chargers might trade the fifth pick of the NFL draft, but they stuck with it and helped their offensive line by taking Notre Dame’s Joe Alt.

Former UCLA QB Cade McNown has advice for Bears top pick Caleb Williams: “You’ve been drafted as the future, you have to live in the present.”