Trey Pipkins is key to Chargers' offensive line becoming a powerhouse

Travis Wakeman

Trey Pipkins is key to Chargers' offensive line becoming a powerhouse image

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, there was talk of the Los Angeles Chargers being interested in taking an offensive tackle — either Joe Alt of Notre Dame or JC Latham of Alabama. But Chargers fans wanted the team to draft a wide receiver and many noted that with Trey Pipkins at one of the tackle spots, that position wasn't a need. 

Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh didn't agree, electing to use the No. 5 overall pick on Alt. But where does that leave Pipkins?

The Chargers now have Alt and Rashawn Slater at the tackle spots and you will be hard-pressed to find a better tackle duo in the NFL than that one. But an offensive line is five players and the Chargers are looking for the right mix of guys to get it exactly how Harbaugh wants it. 

Trey Pipkins moving to guard will be a key factor in 2024 season for Chargers

The Chargers have Zion Johnson at one of the guard spots, so they are set there. At the other spot they have Jamaree Salyer but they will also transition Pipkins to that spot and see if he can earn a starting role there. So far, it seems to be a good experiment. 

 

That is big news for the team as Pipkins is certainly one of the best offensive linemen they have. If he can recreate himself as a guard and start in that role, the Chargers could have the best offensive line in the league. That will bring forth one of those signature Harbaugh smiles. 

There still seems to be some concern over the center spot, where Bradley Bozeman is penciled in as the starter following the retirement of Corey Linsley, but he has played with offensive coordinator Greg Roman before and is a veteran player. 

Though the center spot will most likely be the weakest spot on the offensive line, the quartet of Alt, Slater, Johnson and Pipkins should be more than enough to make up for that. 

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.