The Los Angeles Chargers‘ 2025 draft class is officially in the books. The Chargers selected nine players, five on offense and four on defense. Most analysts across the NFL gave Los Angeles a high draft grades, most with low A’s and high B’s.
The West Coast team filled most of its roster needs and will be heading into the 2025 season with an improved depth chart.
Los Angeles will rely on a young roster to get that key playoff win and potentially make some noise in the postseason.
Let’s break down their picks.
Review of Chargers’ 2025 NFL Draft
Overall Draft Grade: B
The Chargers hit home runs on their first four picks. With their first pick, the Bolts selected Running Back Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina. Hampton is a versatile back who will play a key part in the running game that head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to establish. He’s also a three-down all-purpose back and can take it to the end zone on any play. Hampton should complement free agent signing Najee Harris, delivering a 1-2 punch that the Chargers lacked last season.
In the second round, Los Angeles took wide receiver Tre Harris out of Ole Miss, which was a desperate need at the position. Harris is a big-play receiver who can stretch the field. The Ole Miss product has dealt with injuries, but he should be able to take the workload off last year’s rookie sensation, Ladd McConkey. Harris had over 1,000 yards this past season despite only playing eight games. Imagine what the talented wideout can do in a full season.
As for the third round, the Chargers went on the defensive side of the ball, selecting defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell out of Oregon. After losing Poona Ford and Morgan Fox to free agency, the Chargers needed a run stuffer, but he lacks pass-rush ability. However, he should be a nice addition to an already depleted Chargers defensive line.
Best Value Pick
The biggest value pick for Los Angeles came in the fourth round when they selected Defensive End Kyle Kennard out of South Carolina. He only played one season for the Gamecocks, but he earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year and led the conference in sacks with 11.5. The front office is hoping Kennard will be able to protect the edge and get after the quarterback for years to come. He should be able to learn from veteran Khalil Mack and pair nicely with young edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. Most experts assume this will be Mack’s last year in the NFL and will be hanging it up after the season.
Another outstanding value pick came in the fifth round after the Bolts selected Tight End Oronde Gadsden II out of Syracuse. The consensus on Gadsden II is that he can catch anything thrown in his direction. He set a school and ACC record for the position with 73 receptions and started all 13 games. The Syracuse product should be able to create mismatches on the perimeter. He should be a key addition to a tight end room consisting of veterans Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin.
Other draft picks for the Chargers include:
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn (5th round)
OG Branson Taylor, Pittsburgh (6th round)
S R.J. Mickens, Clemson (6th round)
CB Trikweze Bridges, Florida (7th round)
Chargers 2025 Outlook
Overall, the AFC West runner-ups from 2024 had a solid draft altogether. The team got younger but added depth and potential star power at positions of need. Heading into the season, look for young rookies to step up and play a big role immediately, just as McConkey and Offensive Tackle Joe Alt did last season. Expect the Chargers to play another tough, rugged style with Harbaugh’s blueprint all over this team. This team will compete for another wild-card berth, but the question is, can they secure a playoff win for Justin Herbert in Harbaugh’s second season at the helm?
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
