Chargers add depth to offensive line by signing former 1st-round pick Alex Leatherwood
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, speaks with quarterback Justin Herbert, left, during NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Costa Mesa, Calif. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood will look to get his career back on track with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers signed the former first-round pick on Wednesday. Leatherwood was the 17th overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2001 NFL draft. He started all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, with 13 coming at right guard. He also started at right guard during the Raiders' playoff game at Cincinnati.
Leatherwood was waived by the Raiders during the 2022 preseason. He was claimed by the Chicago Bears and played four games. He spent time on the Cleveland Browns practice squad last season.
In 2020 at Alabama, Leatherwood was a first-team AP All-America selection and also won the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's top offensive lineman.
The signing adds depth to the offensive line, which has been a priority of general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh.