Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to the media during the NFL annual league meetings at the JW Marriott. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Does Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh have secret draft strategy?

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 3/27/24

Jim Harbaugh has been preparing for his first NFL Draft as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, and some are starting to wonder if he has a secret strategy.

Harbaugh has repeatedly praised former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy this offseason. That is hardly a surprise, considering McCarthy just helped Harbaugh win a national title with the Wolverines a few months ago. What is also noteworthy, however, is that Harbaugh would directly benefit from McCarthy being selected with one of the first four picks in the upcoming draft.

The Chargers have the No. 5 overall pick. Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that he is excited about his team’s spot in the draft because “there is talk of four QBs going in the first four picks.” If that happens, L.A. will be able to draft the player they believe is the best non-quarterback in the country.

New #Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh notes “there is talk of four QBs going in the first four picks.” That would mean No. 5 “is like the first pick of the draft.”

Clearly excited about the options at his draft slot. “We know we got a great player that’s gonna be there.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2024

That is why it is in Harbaugh’s best interests to boost McCarthy’s stock as much as he possibly can. Harbaugh would probably have nothing but great things to say about McCarthy even if the Chargers did not have the No. 5 pick, but would the coach be going out of his way this much to convince teams that McCarthy is the best quarterback in the country? Maybe not.

Remember that the Chargers recently traded Keenan Allen and lost Mike Williams in free agency. They could use a wide receiver, and Marvin Harrison Jr. will be on the board at No. 5 if Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and McCarthy are the first four picks in some order.

Harbaugh’s latest claim about McCarthy may have been the coach’s most dramatic yet. Perhaps that is all just part of the strategy.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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