The Chargers will have to wait until the 22nd pick to make their first selection in the 2025 NFL draft, which makes projecting their pick a much harder endeavor than last season. Even so, mock drafters have converged on a bit of a consensus for Los Angeles in the first round.
Here are some of the most realistic selections the Chargers could make.
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant
Look at the way Los Angeles attacked free agency—starter-level players at running back and tight end (Najee Harris and Tyler Conklin, respectively), veteran cornerback Donte Jackson to steer the secondary, and a noticeable lack of starter-quality defensive tackles. The Chargers let Poona Ford go to the Rams, brought back Teair Tart, and signed depth pieces Naquan Jones and Da’Shawn Hand, but they’re lacking a player capable of making the impact Ford did last season unless they think Tart can take a step forward.
Grant has an obvious connection to the Chargers staff, with his college head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach all on staff in Los Angeles. Jim Harbaugh is calling him a “gift from the football gods.” After his testing fell short of the hyper-athletic highs some expected, the chances of Grant being available at 22 seem high enough to be considered heavily.
Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
Take everything about the defensive line room in the blurb about Grant and apply it to Harmon here. The Oregon tackle transferred from Michigan State last season and made an immediate impact for the Ducks as a pass rusher from the interior. That’s a key skill Los Angeles lacks, and one where Harmon is better than Grant. Harmon’s draft stock is rising late, which can sometimes be a false signal, but if Grant is off the board, Harmon would likely be the Chargers’ next target at defensive tackle.
Michigan TE Colston Loveland
One of the most popular mock draft selections for the Chargers all year, Loveland feels like the too-easy-to-be-true pick here. Los Angeles needs a tight end to develop next to Conklin and Will Dissly, neither of whom is a long-term TE1. Loveland was recruited to Michigan by Harbaugh, and the Wolverine even has a shoulder injury that could threaten to push him down the board just a bit on draft night.
Ultimately, though, reports are starting to come out that some teams have Loveland ranked ahead of Penn State’s Tyler Warren, widely considered a top-ten lock. That sort of hype is—again—questionable given how late in the process we are, but it seems more likely than not that the Chargers won’t have the opportunity to reunite Loveland with the rest of their Michigan squad.
North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
With both defensive tackles and Loveland off the board – a realistic possibility given Los Angeles’ long wait – the best player available at 22 may be a running back. Some will balk at taking a running back in the first round, especially in such a strong draft class for the position. Still, Hampton is a perfect fit for the Chargers’ offense and would give the team longevity in the backfield with Najee Harris on a one-year contract.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 4 realistic first-round targets for Chargers in 2025 NFL draft
The Chargers will have to wait until the 22nd pick to make their first selection in the 2025 NFL draft, which makes projecting their pick a much harder endeavor than last season. Even so, mock drafters have converged on a bit of a consensus for Los Angeles in the first round.
Here are some of the most realistic selections the Chargers could make.
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant
Look at the way Los Angeles attacked free agency—starter-level players at running back and tight end (Najee Harris and Tyler Conklin, respectively), veteran cornerback Donte Jackson to steer the secondary, and a noticeable lack of starter-quality defensive tackles. The Chargers let Poona Ford go to the Rams, brought back Teair Tart, and signed depth pieces Naquan Jones and Da’Shawn Hand, but they’re lacking a player capable of making the impact Ford did last season unless they think Tart can take a step forward.
Grant has an obvious connection to the Chargers staff, with his college head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach all on staff in Los Angeles. Jim Harbaugh is calling him a “gift from the football gods.” After his testing fell short of the hyper-athletic highs some expected, the chances of Grant being available at 22 seem high enough to be considered heavily.
Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
Take everything about the defensive line room in the blurb about Grant and apply it to Harmon here. The Oregon tackle transferred from Michigan State last season and made an immediate impact for the Ducks as a pass rusher from the interior. That’s a key skill Los Angeles lacks, and one where Harmon is better than Grant. Harmon’s draft stock is rising late, which can sometimes be a false signal, but if Grant is off the board, Harmon would likely be the Chargers’ next target at defensive tackle.
Michigan TE Colston Loveland
One of the most popular mock draft selections for the Chargers all year, Loveland feels like the too-easy-to-be-true pick here. Los Angeles needs a tight end to develop next to Conklin and Will Dissly, neither of whom is a long-term TE1. Loveland was recruited to Michigan by Harbaugh, and the Wolverine even has a shoulder injury that could threaten to push him down the board just a bit on draft night.
Ultimately, though, reports are starting to come out that some teams have Loveland ranked ahead of Penn State’s Tyler Warren, widely considered a top-ten lock. That sort of hype is—again—questionable given how late in the process we are, but it seems more likely than not that the Chargers won’t have the opportunity to reunite Loveland with the rest of their Michigan squad.
North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
With both defensive tackles and Loveland off the board – a realistic possibility given Los Angeles’ long wait – the best player available at 22 may be a running back. Some will balk at taking a running back in the first round, especially in such a strong draft class for the position. Still, Hampton is a perfect fit for the Chargers’ offense and would give the team longevity in the backfield with Najee Harris on a one-year contract.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 4 realistic first-round targets for Chargers in 2025 NFL draft
