The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and there remain multiple questions, especially on the offensive side of the ball for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Under year one of the Jim Harbaugh era, the Chargers earned a wild card berth but were ultimately embarrassed against the Houston Texans 32-12. The only player to even make an impact in the game for the Bolts was rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
With multiple holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball, along with the third most cap space in free agency, most were surprised that the Chargers didn’t do much to address the needs on offense. Especially with uber-talented gunslinging quarterback Justin Herbert, who some believe can get it done, but needs help on his side of the ball.
Los Angeles will also need to address the defensive side of the ball after letting Joey Bosa walk in free agency. Let’s look at the biggest needs for the Chargers heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Biggest Needs:
- Wide Receiver
- Tight End
- Defensive Line
Top Needs for the Los Angeles Chargers in NFL Draft
Wide Receiver
Los Angeles currently holds the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and currently has 10 selections. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Bolts should draft a wideout early to help out Herbert in a limited offense at times last season. There’s some great talent available to add to the receiving core to go alongside. Don’t forget wide receiver Josh Palmer left in free agency as well to an already depleted receiving core.
Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona: Some boards have the wideout from Arizona being selected high in the draft and some have him as a late first-round pick. If available by the time the Chargers pick, they have to pull the trigger on the big-play receiver. McMillan is a linear-route runner who can run any route on the field and can adjust routes to coverages that defenses are running. I think instinctive is the best way to describe McMillan, he has great IQ on the field to go along with elite ball skills that sets him apart from any receiver in the draft.
Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas: The one receiver in this draft who can play all three receiver positions is Matthew Golden out of Texas. Golden was productive for the Longhorns and willing to go across the field to make catches while getting hit in traffic as well as his great ball skills for contested catches. Every time this past season Texas needed a big play it was Golden who delivered, he will be productive in the NFL and eventually develop into the top receiver on the depth chart.
Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: Egbuka may be the best route runner in this draft. The knock on the Ohio State prospect is that he can’t explode past coverages, but he makes up for that with the ability to get open in different coverages or when a play breaks down. He also can fight for additional yardage after the catch. It never hurts to take a wide receiver out of Ohio State as most have panned out including Garret Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Tight End
The Chargers don’t have much at tight end except for veteran Will Dissly, a non-factor in the Wild Card round against the Texans. Los Angeles has to fill the void at the tight end position and Jim Harbaugh will have some great options in the upcoming draft.
Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan: Coach Jim Harbaugh would love nothing more than to draft a player that he recruited to Michigan. Loveland could make an impact immediately for the Bolts, with the athletic ability and ball skills that make him the best player at his position in the draft. Colston can line up all over the field to go along with elite route running and is a mismatch for opposing defenses. Expect him to make an impact immediately wherever he ends up.
Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State: Some would argue Warren is the best tight end in the draft and it would be hard to disagree. The Penn State product was reliable all season, winning the John Mackey Award (best tight end) and making an impact every time he stepped on the field. Warren has big play athleticism, and tremendous route running, and can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s also got the play style of an old-school tight end, tough, rugged, and can dominate in the run game as a blocker. Warren is a “do it all” player and would be a great fit for the Chargers.
Defensive Line
The losses of Bosa, Poona Ford, and Morgan Fox to free agency may cause the Chargers to draft a defensive lineman sooner than expected. They need depth on that side of the ball and could use an interior defensive lineman that meshes well with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu.
Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, Oregon: Harmon is a game wrecker it’s that simple. At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, the talented lineman is a force in the trenches, playing multiple positions. He also showed versatility after he recorded five sacks in 2024 for Oregon.
Walter Nolen, Defensive Line, Ole Miss: Nolen is a player who uses explosiveness and athletic talent to take over games. He can win one-on-one matchups in the run game and get after the quarterback making him a viable option as a three-down interior lineman. The All-American can play every spot on the defensive line and would make an instant impact on a Chargers defensive line that doesn’t have much depth.
After a rough exit in the first round of the playoffs, look for the Harbaugh-led Chargers in his second year to address these needs in the draft. The standard will be another Wild Card spot for Los Angeles in a tough AFC West division, but they will be expected to make some noise in the postseason. Herbert has not won a playoff game as he enters his sixth season and will be asked to with the best head coach he’s had in his young career.
Main Image: Â Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
