With the regular season nearing an end, talk about the offseason, free agency, and the upcoming draft will only continue to surface.
In The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft, he has the Chargers selecting Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson with the No. 25 overall pick.
Here is what Brugler said about sending Johnson to Los Angeles:
Jeanty deserves every bit of praise he gets, but he isn’t the only running back in this class who will be considered in the first round. Johnson is a well-put-together athlete who runs with equal amounts power, patience and quickness. Add in that he doesn’t fumble and is reliable on passing downs, and you don’t have to squint to see why Jim Harbaugh might go this direction.
For some Chargers fans, neglecting other positions of need and taking a running back in the first round might be rich.
But look at who the head coach of the team is. Jim Harbaugh has made it clear that he wants to be a line-of-scrimmage team and gash opposing defenses on the ground.
The status of the running back room will be up in the air. J.K. Dobbins is currently injured and set to be a free agent. Gus Edwards will still be under contract but hasn’t proven himself as a three-down back.
Johnson ended the 2024 regular season with 1,537 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns. At 6 feet and 225 pounds, he is a well-rounded back who displays decisiveness as a runner, technically sound footwork, and upside in the passing game, both as a blocker and receiver.