Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates debate whether Chargers should select JC Latham with No. 5 overall pick

With Jim Harbaugh in as head coach and Justin Herbert cemented at quarterback, the Los Angeles Chargers find themselves in an interesting spot with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. They could opt for another playmaker to help Herbert, or they could decide to give him more protection up front as Mel Kiper projected in his Mock Draft 2.0.

Kiper had the Chargers selecting JC Latham out of Alabama to become their right tackle of the future. He only allowed two sacks during his career with the Crimson Tide, and Kiper said his success at the position fits what Harbaugh is looking for if he goes the same route he did with building Michigan’s roster.

While he noted Los Angeles could go a few routes, Latham checks plenty of boxes for what Harbaugh and new general manager Joe Hortiz are hoping to do with the Chargers.

“I threw a curveball here, but this is where they have options,” Kiper said on First Draft. “They could go wide receiver with Rome Odunze, Washington, or Malik Nabers, LSU. Could go for a versatile weapon like Brock Bowers from Georgia. But you think about the o-line, Joe Alt, right? Let’s move him to right tackle. Well, you don’t have to move JC Latham to right tackle, okay? He was a dominant performer for Alabama, had a spectacular year. You talk about being able to run the football and be physical, he will bring that to the L.A. Chargers. People say, well, the Michigan game he had that hiccup late. That was it. He was a dominant performer in that game.

“I think Jim Harbaugh is going to look at it and say okay with Joe Hortiz coming into GM from Baltimore, what did Baltimore and Ozzie Newsome go for a lot? Alabama players. Joe Hortiz was here with Eric DeCosta and Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh. Jim Harbaugh, Joe Hortiz take an Alabama tackle who was a highly rated kid coming out of the prep ranks, had a great career. He’s a plug-and-play right tackle for the L.A. Chargers.”

ESPN’s Field Yates: If the Chargers are going to take JC Latham, they should trade back

Field Yates responded to Kiper’s pick by pointing out where Latham sits on his Big Board. After the Super Bowl, Kiper put Latham at No. 22 in his prospect rankings – making a major change moving up to to the No. 5 overall selection.

Yates projected the Chargers to take Joe Alt out of Notre Dame in his Mock Draft 1.0 earlier this month, and the reason for that is his versatility. That’s the route he’d go if Los Angeles wants to take a tackle at No. 5.

“It’s a Kiper Stunt, isn’t it? It’s one of those Kiper Stunts. I see what’s happening right now, Mel. JC Latham, 22 on your big board overall, I see the big difference. Seventeen slots between where you have him rated and where he goes,” Yates said.

However, if the Chargers are set on Latham, Yates said they should trade back to maximize the value.

“If the Chargers are gonna take an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick – which, by the way, I was an advocate for in my mock 1.0 – take Joe Alt,” Yates said. “I get it. He has been a left tackle. Play him at right tackle. He’s got the footwork, he’s got the power, he’s got the reach to do all of those things. And by the way, on top of the fact that he gives you a right tackle that you could have for the next 10 years, you also have left tackle insurance because you can play him on the left side, which you cannot do with JC Latham.

“If they are going to take JC Latham, if that’s their intentions with their first pick, I like the player a lot. He’s 16th on my overall big board. I would do everything that I could to move back from pick five to maybe closer to 10 or 12. Secure extra assets and then take JC Latham. I think Kiper had the right idea with an offensive tackle. I don’t think it’s the right player.”