Top-10 players remaining for the Chargers entering Day 3

The Chargers and Jim Harbaugh will have six picks in the final four rounds of the NFL draft to finish building his first rookie class.

The Chargers added two highly-regarded players at big positions of need on day two of the NFL draft and they now enter the final day with six picks in the final four rounds. The biggest remaining needs include cornerback, tight end, and center.

Here are my top remaining targets still on the board for the Chargers entering day three.

1.) CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

Tampa gets the nod as the best remaining player on the board that the Chargers should consider at the top of the fourth round. The Bolts have just two (barely) starting cornerbacks in Asante Samuel Jr. and newly-signed Kristian Fulton. Ja’Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard are still in the room but they’re late-round picks from the past regime. We shouldn’t be a surprise to see Harbaugh and Co. try to get their own guys for their system.

The 6’1, 190-pound Tampa is well-versed in all coverages with ideal length. Has experience playing wide receiver which helps him mirror and recognize route combinations.

2.) TE Cade Stover, Ohio State

Stover is my favorite tight end in this class outside of Brock Bowers. With experience playing running back in high school, Stover is excellent with the ball in his hands. It also helps that it’s easy to get it to him. He understands how to exploit zones and give his quarterback convenient passing windows. He’s a natural runner after the catch and I think he could end up being one of the best at his position to come out of this draft class if given the right opportunity.

3.) WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

Franklin is my favorite fit at wideout for the Chargers left on the board. He’s a smooth strider with easy build-up speed to get by and separate vertically from defenders. Franklin is coming off a massive season where he set school records for receiving yards, touchdowns, and 100-yard games in a single season. After taking McConkey in the second, Franklin’s skillset would be a perfect complement to round-out the rest of the receiver room.

4.) Brenden Rice, USC

While not the deep threat that the Chargers still need, Rice is a bog-bodied possessio receiver at 6’2 and just under 210 pounds. He caught 12 touchdowns and averaged almost 18 yards per catch in 2023. While you can’t point out any one super elite trait to his game, he’s just so solid across the board that you just know he’ll become a steady pro fairly quickly. His ability to pluck balls out of the air and adjust to back-shoulder throws also raises his floor should he land with a veteran quarterback who already knows how to throw the more nuanced passes at the next level.

5.) CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame

A 6’3 cornerback will always grab my attention. Hart wasn’t a ballhawk at Notre Dame (two career interceptions) but he runs very well for his size which allows him to match up against tight ends and larger wideouts. He excels in press with sound hands and the makeup speed to force quarterbacks into second-guessing the deep ball.

I know Tom Telesco isn’t here anymore, but the Chargers might still find their way into two Fighting Irish players in this draft.

6.) RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

The top remaining running back on the board, per ESPN. The Chargers have reportedly been a fan of Wright’s for awhile now and they’re in a prime spot to select him if they believe he’s worth their fourth-round pick. I unfortunately don’t think he lasts to the fifth due to his home run speed and well-rounded game.

Wright ran the second-fastest time in the 40 at the NFL Combine among running backs at 211 pounds. Give me that size-speed combination every day and twice on Sunday.

7.) WR Malik Washington, Virginia

Another one of “my guys” that I believe the Chargers could nab in an attempt to fill the wide receiver room immediately without having to go out and sign a veteran. Washington is a nuanced route-runner who caught an ACC record and FBS-leading 110 passes in 2023. He shined at the Shrine Bowl with sticky hands and notable contact balance. He’s not afraid to make catches over the middle despite his lack of length.

He’s also a fiend with double moves. A prime example below:

8.) CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon

Another very tall corner at 6’4 and 194 pounds. This is the length that you just can’t teach. He tries to maximize the disruption he can cause with his reach when in coverage. Plays with a rare temperament as a run supporter. He’s always ready to come up and throw down. He’ll fight off blocks, load, and fire into ball-carriers when they enter his area.

9.) C Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin

An elite athlete at the center position who has experience starting games at all three interior spots. The Chargers currently have Bradley Bozeman holding down the pivot but that should stop them from nabbing a player with insane traits at such an important position.

“Bort’s” agilities were elite among the elite. His short shuttle and three-cone drills were solid for players much smaller than him. They’re incredible at 300 pounds. He’s one of my favorites left at any position in the draft.

10.) C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Georgia

Van Pran has excellent experience playing for the blue-chip Bulldogs program. He’s a fighter in the trenches as a sub-300 blocker. He’s at his best when he’s able to combo to the second level and smother linebackers. Knows how to wall of backside pursuers without much effort. He’ll struggle against more powerful interior defenders but it won’t be for a lack of effort. Had a good three-cone time of 7.46,