Chargers wide receiver Cornelius Johnson goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh keeps an eye on quarterback Casey Bauman during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh works with quarterbacks Max Duggan, left, and Casey Bauman during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Jaylen Johnson goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice tries to catch a ball during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Casey Bauman, right, hands the ball off to running back Travis Dye during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers linebackers Junior Colson, left, and Brevin Allen wait to go through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers’ Casey Bauman (16) during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers running back Kimani Vidal, left, wide receiver Brenden Rice, center, and fullback Braden Cassity go through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers running back Kimani Vidal goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh works with running back Kimani Vidal during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Max Duggan goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Jaylen Johnson goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers offensive lineman Joe Alt, center, listens as he goes through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh works with quarterback Casey Bauman during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh chats with quarterback Casey Bauman during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers players go through drills during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Max Duggan goes through drills during a rookie minicamp on Friday in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice (82) joins his teammates during drills at a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice catches a ball during a rookie minicamp workout on Friday in Costa Mesa. Rice, a former USC standout, is among several rookie receivers vying for a significant role amid the departures of longtime Chargers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh keeps an eye on quarterback Casey Bauman (16) during a rookie minicamp at their workout center in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
COSTA MESA — The Chargers lost 11 years of experience and leadership when they traded wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears in March. They also lost 904 receptions, 10,530 yards and 59 touchdowns when they parted ways with one of their last links to their days in San Diego.
The Chargers lost another seven years of experience when they released wide receiver Mike Williams in another salary cap-related move in March. They also lost another 309 catches, 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns when they jettisoned one of their two sure-handed receivers.
So, the Chargers went in search of replacements in the NFL draft last month.
Not that they expect former Georgia standout Ladd McConkey, picked in the second round, to become the next Allen or Williams in his rookie season. Or for seventh-round picks Brenden Rice (USC) or Cornelius Johnson (Michigan) to make the leap in their first pro seasons.
That might be too much to ask.
McConkey, Rice and Johnson each hit the ground running on the first day of the Chargers’ rookie mini-camp Friday. Each expects to compete for a job. Each knows there are jobs to be had with Allen and Williams gone and Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis the top holdovers.
“We have rookies and it’s like coming onto the 405 (Freeway),” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The traffic is moving fast and here come these new players and I’ve got Friday, Saturday and Sunday to get them to understand the system, to learn the plays, so they won’t slow down the veterans.”
Harbaugh also said it was his job to provide clarity for the newest of the Chargers, completing their transition from college standouts to draft prospects to, finally, NFL players. The smoother things go, the better it is for everyone, including the veterans who arrive for spring workouts on Monday.
“Nobody’s going to make the team, nobody’s going to earn a starting role on Day 1 of rookie mini-camp,” Harbaugh said. “Your mind has to outthink your nervous system. You can’t have your nervous system control your body because it will if you let it. … You can’t win any games on the first day of rookie mini-camp, but you could lose one.”
Harbaugh referred to injuries.
McConkey, Rice and Johnson seemed unfazed by their first days on the job. They were excited, to be sure, but they weren’t quaking in their cleats with jitters.
“At the end of the day, football is football,” said McConkey, who could challenge Palmer, Johnston and Davis and become quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite target once the season begins in September. “I just want to go out there and make a good first impression. As coach (Harbaugh) said, you only get one chance to make a good first impression, so make it a good one.”
Rice said his father, Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, was more upset he fell to the seventh round of the draft than he was. He said there was motivation to excel and make a great first impression, too, but it was his father who said he would take over his training and push him to a job as a rookie.
“Without a doubt, yes,” Rice said of his confidence in competing for a job.
Johnson’s familiarity with Harbaugh eased his transition. After all, Harbaugh coached Johnson and the Wolverines to a 15-0 record and the national championship this past season before jumping at the chance to coach the Chargers and return to the NFL after nine years at Michigan.
NFL draft: Chargers trade up to take WR Ladd McConkey in 2nd round
“I played with him throughout my whole college career,” Johnson said. “He recruited me. He’s been over to Greenwich (Connecticut), been to my hometown, seen my parents and everything. It’s amazing how everything plays out, having his staff here. Definitely something that motivates me every day.”
It didn’t hurt that Johnson grew up a Chargers fan, wearing running back LaDainian Thomlinson’s No. 21 uniform number throughout middle and high school in Connecticut. He knows the Chargers’ history, reeling off the names of greats such as Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers.
“It’s just amazing that that’s the team that ends up drafting me,” Johnson said.
SIX PICKS SIGN
Rice, Johnson, linebacker Junior Colson (Michigan), defensive backs Tarheeb Still (Maryland) and Cam Hart (Notre Dame) and running back Kimani Vidal (Troy) all signed their rookie contracts. McConkey, offensive lineman Joe Alt (Notre Dame) and defensive lineman Justin Oboigbe (Michigan) are expected to sign soon.
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