Chargers Rookie Forecast 2025
Solid Starter
Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss – Round 2
For the third straight year, the Chargers added a wide receiver with a first- or second-round pick in an effort to give Justin Herbert some playmakers to work with. With the addition of Harris to go on the outside, they have some big wide outs to work the perimeter and a weapon in the slot with Ladd McConkey.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Harris was off to a prolific start in 2024. Harris had 60 catches for 1,030 yards in eight games with seven touchdowns. A lower-body injury took him out of the final five games and limited him leading up to the draft. Harris has a good size, is physical, and shows enough quickness to be effective.
Harris may not have the skill set to be an elite No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he definitely has the potential to be a starter. Staying healthy will be critical, but Harris has the talent to form a nice inside/outside combination with McConkey. If he is able to stay off injured reserve, I think Harris could be a solid starter for Los Angeles.
2023: Joe Alt, offensive tackle
2023: Tuli Tuipulotu, defensive end
2022: Zion Johnson, guard
2021: Rashawn Slater, offensive tackle
2020: Justin Herbert, quarterback
2019: Nasir Adderley, safety
2018: Justin Jones, defensive tackle
2017: Forrest Lamp, guard
2016: Hunter Henry, tight end
2015: Denzel Perryman, linebacker
2014: Jason Verrett, cornerback
2013: Manti Te’o, linebacker
Most Likely To Bust
Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon – Round 3
The Chargers needed some youth for the interior of their defensive line, but waited until the third round to take a tackle in a very good year for tackle talent. Caldwell is a big run-stuffing nose tackle, but he has limitations as a pass rusher in the NFL. I could see Caldwell having problems becoming a three-down starter as a result. Third-round picks are expected to be backups to start their career while developing into starters. Of the Chargers’ early-round picks, I think Caldwell could fall short of that goal and end up topping out as a rotational nose tackle for run-down sets.
2023: Junior Colson, linebacker 2023: Derius Davis, wide receiver 2022: None 2021: Asante Samuel Jr, cornerback 2020: Joe Reed, wide receiver 2019: Trey Pipkins, offensive tackle 2018: Uchenna Nwosu, linebacker 2017: Dan Feeney, guard 2016: Max Tuerk, center 2015: Craig Mager, cornerback 2014: Chris Watt, guard 2013: D.J. Fluker, offensive tackle
Potential Boom Pick
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – Round 1
Jim Harbaugh wants to run a physical, ground-based offense that controls games at the point of attack. The Chargers started inacting that vision when they took Joe Alt in the first round last year, and they followed it up by grabbing Hampton in the first round in 2025. With Los Angeles, Hampton should be the Chargers’ workhorse back who gets a lot of carries and every opportunity to be one of the top backs in the NFL.
There is a lot to like about Hampton (6-0, 220) for the NFL, as he looks like a future three-down starter who can be the bellcow of a rushing offense. Hampton is a power runner who is strong enough to break tackles and picks up a lot of yards after contact. He combines a strong build with a hard-nosed style and contact balance to make it very hard for defenders to knock him to the ground.
Hampton demonstrates good running fundamentals, like the patience to let holes develop, the vision to see lanes about to come open, and good body lean to run behind his pads. Hampton has the quickness to hit the hole and is a powerful bull stampeding downhill. In the open field, Hampton has a second gear to break off long runs, although he lacks elite speed for the NFL level, so some defenders will be able to catch him from behind. In short yardage and goal line, Hampton is a touchdown machine with a real nose for the end zone.
In the passing game, Hampton has good hands for a big back. He makes some nice catches and is dangerous in space. Hampton won’t be a twitchy route-runner who can move to slot receiver like Christian McCaffrey or Jahmyr Gibbs, but Hampton should be a very good check-down option. Like all college running backs, Hampton will need some development as a blocker in pass protection.
To open his career, Hampton will work in a committee approach with veteran Najee Harris. Before long, Hampton could take over the starting job and become a three-down starter and feature back for the Chargers. With his talent and natural ability, Hampton has real boom pick potential for Los Angeles.
2023: Ladd McConkey, wide receiver
2023: Quentin Johnston, wide receiver
2022: None
2021: Tre’ McKitty, tight end
2020: Kenneth Murray, linebacker
2019: Jerry Tillery, defensive tackle
2018: Derwin James, safety
2017: Mike Williams, wide receiver
2016: Joey Bosa, defensive end
2015: Melvin Gordon, running back
2014: Jeremiah Attaochu, outside linebacker
2013: Keenan Allen, wide receiver
Future Depth Player
Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina – Round 4
The Chargers said goodbye to long-time defensive end Joey Bosa this offseason, and they were in need of some defensive line depth. Kennard could be a nice rotational pass rusher who comes into the game in the subpackage. Kennard may not have the mass and strength to be a three-down starter and tough run defender, but he has some natural pass rush ability and a nose for the quarterbacks. He could be a solid rotational backup for the Chargers who does a nice job as a role player, providing some pass rush off the bench.
2024: Justin Eboigbe, defensive tackle
2023: Max Duggan, quarterback
2022:Isaiah Spiller, running back
2021:Josh Palmer, wide receiver
2020: Joshua Kelley, running back
2019: Drue Tranquill, linebacker
2018: Kyzir White, safety
2017: Desmond King, safety
2016: Joshua Perry, linebacker
2015: Darius Philon, defensive tackle
2014: Marion Grice, running back
2013: Steve Williams, cornerback
