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.
trey pipkins gettin' medieval in there pic.twitter.com/6lG3h73pI7
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 12, 2024
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.
