Tag: Chargers draft

3-round Chargers mock draft: Post-Shrine and Senior Bowl edition

The Chargers add a disruptive interior defender and two pass-catching weapons.

Draft season is officially upon us, as the East-West Shrine Bowl and Reese’s Senior Bowl ushered the football world into February with a week of all-star showings. With intel beginning to circulate and players rising and falling based on their performance, things will only reach a fever pitch as the NFL Combine approaches at the end of this month.

Let’s take a moment to evaluate what the Chargers might do when the draft rolls around in April.

Round 1, Pick 22: Michigan DL Kenneth Grant

A different Wolverine – tight end Colston Loveland – has been the most popular pick for the Chargers in this spot, but the rising stock of Penn State’s Tyler Warren could pull Loveland above the 22nd spot. Grant attended the Shrine Bowl but only participated in interviews, where he told at least one media member that he’d love to reunite with head coach Jim Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and defensive line coach Mike Elston in LA.

A disruptive pass rusher from 1-technique, Grant would add a much-needed pass rush presence from the interior. Poona Ford and Teair Tart are free agents this offseason, which could magnify the need for a presence on the inside.

Round 2, Pick 54: Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins

Higgins was arguably the best receiver at this year’s Senior Bowl, as he showed a routine ability to run past defensive backs down the field and make tough catches. He finished the 2024 season with one of the lowest drop rates in the country as the Cyclones’ primary target.

The Chargers need a bona fide threat on the outside, with Ladd McConkey set in stone in the slot. Joshua Palmer is a free agent and Quentin Johnston has still not risen to the level LA thought he would when he was drafted 21st overall in 2023.

Round 3, Pick 87: LSU TE Mason Taylor

Another attendee of the Senior Bowl, Taylor looked smooth as a route runner in Mobile, consistently beating linebackers with quickness and defensive backs at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, the LSU product also comes with an NFL pedigree.

While not an overly dynamic vertical route runner, Taylor fits nicely into a Greg Roman scheme that wants tight ends to find soft spots in zones underneath. A well-rounded player who will also be a solid blocker, Taylor could easily step in as a rookie starter despite his Day 2 landing spot.

6 potential Chargers targets that stood out at Senior Bowl

The Chargers selected five Senior Bowl participants in last year’s draft. Here’s a look at who could be next in line to be taken by Los Angeles.

Now that the 2025 Senior Bowl, the premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects, is over, it is time to reflect on the meaning of the week.

Which players helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile, AL, and likely garnered the attention of the Chargers?

Here are six prospects on both sides of the ball.

EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

The Chargers could address the edge defender position in the first round, depending on what happens with Khalil Mack, who is set to be a free agent. If they were to go that route, Green could be an option to draft and contribute as a pass rusher from the get-go. The nation’s leader in sacks, Green has a knack for winning with speed off the edge, bend, and various counters. But he raised eyebrows with his power profile on a rep where he put Oregon’s Josh Conerly (another potential top-30 selection) on the ground with a bull rush.

RB Damien Martinez, Miami

The Chargers should prioritize re-signing J.K. Dobbins, but Gus Edwards could be a potential cut candidate as he struggled to stay healthy in 2024. Should they go that route, Martinez is a great option to fill that void. He is a big, physical running back with good lateral agility and vision that gets downhill quickly and can wear defenses down. Martinez caught the ball well and was arguably the best back in pass-protection drills.

TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami

The Chargers need to add a tight end with pass-catching chops, and luckily for them, this class offers a multitude of them, including Arroyo. Arroyo flashed his route running agility, the ability to run past defensive backs and sticky hands to haul in passes. He blocked well, too.

DT Darius Alexander, Toledo

The Chargers should try to bring back Poona Ford and Teair Tartt. But this positional room still needs pass-rush juice. The 6-foot-4 and 304-pounder was unblockable in one-on-ones in team drills, making life difficult for blockers with a combination of upper body power, length (34-inch arms) and quickness. Alexander showed versatility in lining up all along the defensive line, as well.

WR Jack Bech, TCU

The Chargers must revamp the receiver room and give Justin Herbert more reliable targets. Bech played tight end at LSU before transferring to TCU. He might not be the fastest guy, but he showed the physicality and good routes to make himself open, and he flashed his great hands. He’s not Puka Nacua, but Bech plays a lot like Puka Nacua.

OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

The interior of the offensive line is a question mark for the Chargers. Center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent. Right guard Trey Pipkins did not show enough promise to be guaranteed a starting job next season. Zabel lined up at both guard and center, where he showed the play strength, hand placement and lower half mobility to stand up against Power 4 defensive linemen.

2025 NFL draft: 4 potential Chargers targets that stood out on Day 3 of East-West Shrine Bowl

Day 3 of the East-West Shrine Bowl offered plenty of standout players that should have caught the attention of the Los Angeles Chargers.

The 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl continued on Monday, marking the third day of the event. It offered a handful of draft prospects that stood out to NFL evaluators.

Here are four that could’ve garnered the attention of the Chargers.

DL Jordan Phillips, Maryland

The Maryland product, who is only 20 years old, has packed a punch (literally) this week. His domination carried over to today. The 320-pounder’s power profile and explosiveness made life difficult for blockers. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be the first player from this all-star game selected, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the next is Phillips.

TE Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech

The Chargers must revamp the tight end position by adding capable pass catchers. Conyers was a problem for defenders, consistently getting open with excellent short-area quickness and catching everything thrown at him, showing off his ball skills. For being 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, Conyers is athletic and moves well. He’s also willing as a blocker.

EDGE Tyler Batty, BYU

The Chargers would benefit from adding some pass-rush juice to the edge defender room. Batty has a great frame at 6-foot-5 and 269 pounds, and he uses it well by generating power to push blockers back. But today, Batty showed some finesse with a nice dip move to get underneath and around a tackle to get into the backfield.

OL Thomas Perry, Middlebury

It’s been a trend for a small-school offensive lineman to come to these all-star games and blow it up. This year, Perry is that guy. The Division III product is primarily a guard, but he’s lined up at center, a position he’s only been learning for a month. Perry was a brick wall in 1-on-1s, stymieing defenders with a strong anchor, technique, and athleticism. Perry is currently working with offensive line developer Duke Manyweather.

Chargers 2025 offseason preview: Pending free agents, cap space, team needs, draft picks

Examining the Chargers’ offseason, including team needs, pending free agents, and salary-cap space.

After finishing 11-6 and making the playoffs, the Chargers are in full offseason mode.

Los Angeles is still a couple of months away from the new league frenzy, but it’s not too early to look at what to expect then, starting with 27 players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

  1. CB Eli Apple
  2. OL Bradley Bozeman
  3. WR DJ Chark
  4. RB J.K. Dobbins
  5. LB Troy Dye
  6. TE Hayden Hurst
  7. WR Simi Fehoko
  8. DL Poona Ford
  9. DL Morgan Fox
  10. CB Kristian Fulton
  11. QB Taylor Heinicke
  12. OL Brenden Jaimes
  13. S Tony Jefferson
  14. EDGE Khalil Mack
  15. S Marcus Maye
  16. S Elijah Molden
  17. OL Sam Mustipher
  18. LB Nick Niemann
  19. WR Joshua Palmer
  20. LB Denzel Perryman
  21. LB Shaq Quarterman
  22. WR Jalen Reagor
  23. EDGE Chris Rumph II
  24. CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
  25. P JK Scott
  26. QB Easton Stick
  27. DL Teair Tart

Cap space

The Chargers have a projected $63 million in cap space, the sixth most among all NFL teams.

Team needs

Wide receiver

Time and time again, we saw Justin Herbert’s receivers drop crucial passes this season. Ladd McConkey is here to stay for the long term, and Quentin Johnston did show some improvements. With that, the Chargers still need a legit No. 1 playmaker on the outsider, like a Tee Higgins in free agency. Keenan Allen even teased that he would consider a return to Los Angeles. Regardless of who it is, the Chargers must get Herbert some help and it should be at the top of the priority list.

Tight end

Just behind the wide receiver position, the Chargers need tight end talent badly as well. Recent mock drafts have had Los Angeles using their first-round draft selection on a tight end. This year’s talent at the position was subpar in both the pass-catching and blocking departments. Don’t be surprised to see the front office add multiple tight ends this offseason.

Center

The offensive line is set at offensive tackle, but center was the clear weakness of this unit in 2024. Bradley Bozeman was brought in on a cheap deal, and it didn’t work out. He was regularly the weak link of the offensive line, and it’s time Los Angeles gets younger at this position.

Running back

J.K. Dobbins proved to be a good value pickup. But as we saw, his injury history is concerning. While he can’t be relied upon for an entire 17-game season, Dobbins could be a candidate to return on a short-term deal. Still, it would be wise to draft a running back in this year’s deep class or resort to the free agency pool to improve a rushing offense that ranked far below Jim Harbaugh’s standards.

Guard

Zion Johnson is sometimes inconsistent, but he will still be a starter on the left side in 2025. However, the team has a decision to make regarding his fifth-year option. On the right side, the team should seek reinforcements through the draft and free agency. Trey Pipkins was not good enough, particularly in pass protection.

Interior defensive line

Poona Ford is the big name to watch here, as he had a breakout season this year and is set to hit free agency. He was dominant on the inside, particularly in the run game. Even if Ford is brought back, this unit still needs some depth.

Cornerback

Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. are set to become free agents, so the team must decide on those two first and foremost. Beyond that, Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still are in the plans after promising rookie seasons. The team will need depth, at minimum, at the position still. The front office may even consider getting a No. 1 corner in free agency if they lose Fulton and Samuel.

Edge defender

This is largely dependent on Khalil Mack’s fate. Mack will turn 34 in a little over a month. The veteran is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, and he was phenomenal under Jesse Minter this year. The team should do everything in its power to bring him back, but if they do lose him, this becomes a huge area of concern. Additionally, the team could cut ties with Joey Bosa, who has struggled with injuries.

Draft picks

The Chargers have the No. 22 overall selection and are projected to have ten total picks in the 2025 NFL draft.

2025 NFL draft: PFF identifies ‘perfect’ prospect for Chargers

Pro Football Focus recently identified the perfect 2025 NFL draft prospect for every team in the league.

Pro Football Focus recently identified the perfect 2025 NFL draft prospect for every team in the league.

For Los Angeles, it is Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.

Considering Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for tight ends, it was a major surprise to many that Seattle was quicker on the trigger in last year’s draft for former Michigan TE AJ Barner (30 catches for 245 yards and four TDs in 2024). Luckily for the Chargers’ head coach, he can set his sights on another Michigan man in this draft, one with the athletic profile that warrants a first-round selection.

Despite a 2024 campaign limited by spotty QB play and multiple injuries, Loveland still managed a 90.2 receiving grade. Over the past two seasons for the Maize and Blue, he amassed 103 catches for 649 yards, nine scores and 62 first downs.

L.A. hasn’t had a good pass-catching tight end since Hunter Henry a few years back. When Henry was with the Chargers, he and Justin Herbert had a strong chemistry, so adding a receiving TE is imperative.

Loveland could step in from Day 1 and fulfill that need.

A run-heavy offense and instability at quarterback limited Loveland this past season. Still, he has proven himself a reliable receiver, possessing the route-running chops, ball skills, contested catch ability, and body control.

Loveland was a key piece of the Wolverines’ offense in 2023, the year that Jim Harbaugh guided them to a national title. He posted 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns.

Chargers projected to receive 3 compensatory picks in 2025 NFL draft

The Chargers are projected to have three additional Day 3 picks.

In the 2025 NFL draft, the Chargers will likely have three extra picks, according to Over The Cap.

Compensatory picks are awarded to teams who lose out on significant players in free agency and are awarded to those teams the next year.

The pick given to teams is calculated on a formula that includes a number of qualifiers, including the average per year (APY) of a contract signed, the percentage of snaps a player plays, and their awards and accolades for their performance, such as the AP All-Pro list or PFWA’s list.

Over The Cap projects Los Angeles to receive a fifth-round pick for linebacker Kenneth Murray (Titans), a sixth-rounder for tight end Gerald Everett (Bears), and a seventh-round selection for cornerback Michael Davis (Commanders).

The NFL will announce the finalized compensatory picks closer to the draft.

Chargers have decision to make at center: Will they keep Bradley Bozeman?

The Chargers have a decision to make regarding their plan with the center position.

The Chargers have some big decisions to make with their internal free agents. Among the crop includes center Bradley Bozeman.

Signed last offseason to replace Corey Linsley, Bozeman started all 18 games and led the team in offensive snaps with 1,057.

While he was on the field for nearly every snap, Bozeman experienced some struggles, particularly in pass protection. He finished with a 53.1 pass-blocking grade, which ranked 53rd out of 64 qualifying centers.

Bozeman would like to return to Los Angeles. Following the Chargers’ loss to the Texans in the wild-card round, while fighting back tears, Bozeman said, “I hope I’m around next year. I love this place. I want to be here. But right now, it’s out of my hands.”

When asked about the possibility of Bozeman returning, general manager Joe Hortiz said, “We want everyone back,” adding that he’s already had conversations with him about possibly returning.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh heaped high praise on Bozeman’s availability. “I want guys like that back,” Harbaugh said.

The Chargers would love to have Bozeman back, but they must start thinking about the future.

That is why they should look to the draft to add one and let there be competition for the starting job. However, if Bozeman is guaranteed to start somewhere else, Los Angeles will likely skim through the free agency market for a veteran.

2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts are projecting Chargers to pick

Who could the Chargers add to the roster in the first round next year?

The Chargers own the No. 22 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Now that we know where Los Angeles will pick, let’s look at who draft experts are pairing with L.A. in the first round.

The Athletic: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: “Like Warren to Indianapolis, this is another potential pairing that should be popular in mock drafts. A big, fast and reliable pass catcher, Loveland would help fix several of the Chargers’ offensive woes. And, obviously, no other head coach will be more familiar with how to use his skill set than Jim Harbaugh.”

CBS Sports: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso: “Tyler Warren emerged as the best tight end in college football this season, with incredible athletic gifts, a sizable frame and plus ball skills. Huge boost for the Chargers offense down the seam.”

Pro Football Network: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante: “Loveland is an athletic move tight end with the fluidity to excel on the seam and the deep speed needed to serve as a better vertical threat in the passing game than the average tight end prospect. His ceiling as a pass catcher would make him a valuable asset to Justin Herbert and a young Chargers offensive nucleus.”

The 33rd Team: DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs: “Los Angeles finished the season with the league’s No. 1 scoring defense, but things unraveled in Houston with a Wild Card loss to the Texans. Houston’s 168 rushing yards underscores one big area of improvement for the Chargers this offseason — the run defense ranked 27th in the NFL in yards per carry. Poona Ford was a great success for the Chargers this season, but he was on a 1-year deal and will be looking to cash in. But even if he’s back in LA for 2025, a stout presence like Tyleik Williams would further help the Chargers control the trenches.”

Athlon Sports: DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling: “It might hurt Jim Harbaugh to miss out on his former Wolverine in Grant, but the need remains for a tone-setting interior defender who can stuff the run. That could lead him to his old rival in Columbus, where Williams has been one of the best inside run defenders in all of college football this season, giving the Chargers a much-needed upgrade.”

Sporting News: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer: “The Chargers have Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, but the latter is a 33-year-old pending free agent and they have some rotational depth concerns. Sawyer can help them reload as a rising, relentless pass-rusher and overall playmaker.”

CBS Sport: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner: “Tyler Warren feels like a Jim Harbaugh player. He’s tough as nails over the middle of the football field and a true inline tight end. His ability to make contested plays at the catch point is something the Chargers receiving corps desperately needs.”

8 positions of need for Chargers this offseason

Despite an 11-win season in 2024, the Chargers still have several holes that need to be addressed this upcoming offseason.

The Chargers overachieved in Jim Harbaugh’s season despite the disappointing first-round exit in the postseason. The team won 11 games and were able to establish a real identity under Harbaugh.

The future is bright in Los Angeles, and now it’s time to look ahead to the offseason. There are a few noticeable holes on the roster, and we’ll go through the biggest positions of need this offseason for the Chargers.

Wide receiver

Time and time again, we saw Justin Herbert’s wideouts drop crucial passes this season. Ladd McConkey is here to stay for the long-term, and Quentin Johnston did show some improvements. With that, the Chargers still need a legit No. 1 playmaker on the outsider, like a Tee Higgins in free agency. Keenan Allen even teased that he would consider a return to Los Angeles. Regardless of who it is, the Chargers must get Herbert some help at wideout and it should be at the top of the priority list.

Tight end

Just behind the wide receiver position, the Chargers need tight end talent badly as well. Recent mock drafts have had Los Angeles using their first-round draft selection on a tight end. This year’s talent at the position was subpar in both the pass-catching and blocking department. Don’t be surprised to see the front office bring in multiple tight ends this offseason.

Center

The offensive line is set at offensive tackle, but center was the clear weakness of this unit in 2024. Veteran Bradley Bozeman was brought in on a cheap deal, and it didn’t exactly work out. He was regularly the weak link of the offensive line, and it’s time Los Angeles gets younger at this position anyways.

Running back

J.K. Dobbins proved to be a good value pickup, but as we saw, his injury history is quite concerning. While he can’t be relied upon for a full 17-game season, he could be a candidate to come back on a short-term deal. Still, it would be wise to possibly draft a tailback in this year’s deep class, or go back into the free agency pool. That should help this offense be more two-dimensional in 2025, something Harbaugh prefers.

Guard

Zion Johnson is inconsistent at times, but he is still a starter in 2025 on the left side. The team does have a decision to make with his fifth-year option though, so guard may still be a long-term need. On the right side, the team should be looking for reinforcements both through the draft and via free agency. Trey Pipkins III was not good enough, particularly in pass protection, in 2024.

Interior defensive line

Poona Ford is the big name to watch here, as he had a breakout season this year and is set to hit free agency. He was dominant on the inside, particularly in the run game. Even if Ford is brought back, some depth is still needed amongst this unit.

Cornerback

Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. are both set to become free agents so the team must decide on those two first and foremost. Beyond that, Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still figure to be in the plans at the position moving forward. The team will need depth, at minimum, at the position still. The front office may even want to consider looking at getting a No. 1 corner in free agency, particularly if they lose both Fulton and Samuel.

Edge defender

This is largely dependent on the fate of Khalil Mack, who is set to turn 34 years old in a little over a month. The veteran is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, and he was phenomenal under Jesse Minter this year. The team should do everything in its power to bring him back, but if they do lose him, this becomes a huge area of concern.

Chargers 2025 first-round draft pick set

With the Chargers’ season now complete, their position for the first round of the 2025 NFL draft is locked in.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ season concluded Saturday after losing to the Houston Texans.

With Wild Card Weekend now complete, their position for the first round of the 2025 NFL draft is locked in.

The Chargers own the No. 22 overall pick after the Rams beat the Vikings on Monday night. Had Minnesota defeated Los Angeles, the Bolts would’ve held the No. 23 overall selection.

The previous five players selected No. 22 overall have been corneback Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles), wide receiver Zay Flowers (Ravens), linebacker Quay Walker (Packers), cornerback Caleb Farley (Titans) and wide receiver Justin Jefferson (Vikings).

The NFL draft kicks off from Green Bay, WI, on April 24th and ends on April 26th. So we’ll spend the next three months covering potential draft prospects, with scouting reports and mock drafts.