Los Angeles Chargers (Last Year: 11-6)
2025 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
QB Trey Lance, RB Najee Harris, WR Mike Williams, TE Tyler Conklin, G Mekhi Becton, C Andre James, DT Da’Shawn Hand, CB Donte Jackson, CB Benjamin St-Juste.
Early Draft Picks:
RB Omarion Hampton, WR Tre Harris, DT Jamaree Caldwell, OLB Kyle Kennard. Chargers Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
RB J.K. Dobbins, RB Gus Edwards, WR Joshua Palmer, TE Hayden Hurst, DE Joey Bosa, DE Morgan Fox, DT Poona Ford, CB Asante Samuel Jr., CB Kristian Fulton, S Marcus Maye.
2025 Los Angeles Chargers Offense:
Justin Herbert has been criticized for not performing up to expectations in meaningful games. He’s reached the playoffs on multiple occasions, but he was part of a blown 27-0 lead and then suffered a massive lopsided to the Texans this past January. Herbert is incredibly talented, but the skeptics have been correct about his inability to perform in the clutch.
To be fair to Herbert, he didn’t have much to work with last year outside of his terrific rookie slot receiver, Ladd McConkey. The Chargers spent plenty of energy upgrading Herbert’s supporting cast this offseason. A trio of receivers were added, with one being a familiar face. Mike Williams, who went to the Jets and then the Steelers last year, is now back with his original team. Williams struggled last season because he was recovering from a torn ACL and couldn’t gel with Aaron Rodgers. Now another year removed from the torn knee, Williams could be back to his old self, though that old self was constantly injured.
The other two receivers were draft picks, as Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith were selected in the second and fifth rounds, respectively. Harris is a big receiver who makes contested catches, while Lambert-Smith is a quick player who runs routes well. The Chargers will hope one of them supplants the drop-plagued Quentin Johnston on the outside. Tight end Tyler Conklin was also signed, but he is more of a blocker, so Will Dissly will continue to serve as the primary intermediate target at the position unless fifth-round rookie Oronde Gadsen emerges in his first season.
The Chargers used their first-round pick on Omarion Hampton. The talented three-down back could make some noise at the end of the season, but he’s expected to start behind Najee Harris to begin the 2025 campaign. Harris is considered a first-round bust, but only because of where he was drafted. Harris has rushed for 1,000 yards every season and has never missed a game in his professional career.
The blocking for the running backs and Herbert will be better this year. A key free agent signing was Mekhi Becton, formerly of the Jets and then Eagles. Becton struggled in New York, but went to Philadelphia and then thrived after switching from tackle to guard. The Chargers were weak in the interior last year, so Becton figures to provide a big upgrade. He’ll play alongside Zion Johnson and either Bradley Bozeman or Andre James. Johnson has never lived up to his first-round billing, but was mediocre last season. Bozeman was the weak link on the offensive line last year, so he could be unseated by James, the former Raider center who has been inconsistent throughout his career.
The best feature of the Chargers’ offensive line is at tackle. Rashawn Slater is one of the best blind-side protectors in the NFL. Joe Alt, meanwhile, thrived as a rookie. There was some debate about whether the Chargers should have selected Alt or Malik Nabers, but there’s no question that Alt has looked like a future perennial All-Pro.
2025 Los Angeles Chargers Defense:
While the Chargers spent their offseason primarily adding offensive pieces, they lost a big name on the other side of the ball. That would be Joey Bosa, who was known as one of the most dynamic edge rushers in the entire league.
Bosa, however, has been declining lately, as his many injuries appear to have sapped him of some of his talent. Bosa hasn’t logged more than 6.5 sacks since 2021, and he has missed 23 games in the past three years. Perhaps he’ll rebound in Buffalo, but the Chargers won’t exactly miss his production because he hasn’t provided them with much in recent seasons. Besides, the Chargers still have some talented edge rushers, namely Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Mack is 34, but he’s coming off two amazing seasons. He could regress, but Tuipulotu could take the next step. Tuipulotu, only 23, logged 8.5 sacks last year. He has loads of talent and hasn’t reached his full potential yet. The Chargers also used a fourth-round pick on Kyle Kennard for depth.
A third-round selection was spent on the defensive line. Jamaree Caldwell was signed to be a massive run stuffer. Given the Chargers’ habitually poor play against the run, someone like Caldwell was needed, though it remains to be seen if he’ll beat out Teair Tart for the starting nose job. Whoever wins will be flanked by Da’Shawn Hand and Otito Ogbonnia, both of whom struggled last year.
The defensive line is a massive liability, so the Chargers will need to lean on Denzel Perryman to once again anchor the run defense. Perryman is no longer reliable in coverage, but he’s terrific in run support. He’ll play in a linebacking trio comprised of Daiyan Henley and Junior Colson. Henley has done well as a recent third-round pick, though Colson, who was chosen in the third round a year later, was atrocious as a rookie.
As for the secondary, the Chargers signed some cornerbacks to help with another weak position. Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste were signed, though Redskins fans will tell anyone who listens how terrible St-Juste is. Jackson has at least performed well in the past, though he’s coming off a down year in Pittsburgh. The other cornerbacks are Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still. The latter was the Chargers’ best cornerback last year. Still will continue to play out of the slot, while Hart will need to perform better.
The top player in the Charger secondary will continue to be Derwin James, who silenced the critics who claim he’s too injury-prone by playing 16 games last year. He’ll start next to Alohi Gilman, who has been inconsistent throughout his career. Tony Jefferson, who has played well in the past, could challenge for a starting job.
2025 Los Angeles Chargers Schedule and Intangibles:
The Chargers have no home-field advantage. They are 32-32 as hosts since moving back to Los Angeles in 2017. They’re 36-34 as visitors in that span. The NFL will have to consider moving the Chargers, perhaps to Oakland, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, or Salt Lake City.
The Chargers have endured major kicking woes for years, but perhaps they found a solution in Cameron Dicker. “Dicker the Kicker” went 31-of-33 in 2023 and then 39-of-42 in 2024. He has hit 16-of-20 attempts from 50-plus in that span.
J.K. Scott routinely finished near the bottom of net average, but that was not the case the past two years; he’s been in the middle of the pack recently. He’s also done a good job of pinning the opposition inside the 20.
The Chargers had a cake-walk schedule last year. It’s mixed this season. They have easy non-divisional games versus the Giants, Colts, Titans, and Cowboys, but they also have to battle the Redskins, Steelers, Vikings, Texans, and Eagles.
2025 Los Angeles Chargers Rookies:
Go here for the Chargers Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2025 Los Angeles Chargers Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
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Projection: 9-8 (3rd in AFC West)
2024 Projection: 8-9. 2024 Actual Result: 11-6.
2023 Projection: 10-7. 2023 Actual Result: 5-12.
2022 Projection: 13-4. 2022 Actual Result: 10-7.
2021 Projection: 12-5. 2021 Actual Result: 9-8.
2020 Projection: 5-11. 2020 Actual Result: 7-9.
2019 Projection: 9-7. 2019 Actual Result: 5-11.
2018 Projection: 9-7. 2018 Actual Result: 12-4.
2017 Projection: 7-9. 2017 Actual Result: 9-7.
2016 Projection: 7-9. 2016 Actual Result: 5-11.
NFL Draft Team Grade: B- Grade
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: It shouldn’t surprise anyone if Jim Harbaugh addresses the offensive and defensive lines early in the 2025 NFL Draft. In addition to that, the Chargers need to find an upgrade at cornerback and the defensive line, and they also have to find multiple new receiving weapons for Justin Herbert.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Chargers had a puzzling start to the draft. The rival Broncos, who sorely needed a running back, passed on Omarion Hampton. And yet, the Chargers, who needed a running back less because of the Najee Harris signing, took Hampton just two picks later. Drafting a running back in the opening round is often a mistake unless the prospect in question is an elite player. It’s safe to say that Hampton is not elite.
The ensuing rounds were more fruitful for the Chargers. They found some promising weapons for Justin Herbert in Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert. The latter was a great steal in the fifth round. Some picks were also spent on the defensive line, with Jamaree Caldwell and Kyle Kennard earning B+ and A- grades, respectively.
I’d like the Chargers’ draft class much more if they didn’t bungle their initial pick. A running back there seemed unnecessary, but the team’s overall class was a decent one.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
22. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – B Grade
Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball, so it should come as no surprise that he drafted a running back with this pick. Omarion Hampton is a talented back, so he’ll definitely provide a big boost to the offense. I would normally criticize a first-round running back who isn’t elite, but this is a weak class, so the 20s are basically the second round in a normal year.
55. Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss – B+ Grade
The Chargers hit a home run with Ladd McConkey last year, but they needed help at outside receiver. Tre Harris is a big receiver who makes contested catches, and it’s unlikely that he’ll have issues with drops like Quentin Johnston has in his career. Harris makes sense late in the second round.
86. Jamaree Caldwell, NT, Oregon – B+ Grade
The Chargers have struggled to stop the run at times, so they needed to address their weakness at defensive tackle. Jamaree Caldwell is a big run-stuffer who will help the Chargers right away. He makes sense here in the third round.
125. Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina – A- Grade
The Chargers lost Joey Bosa and won’t have Khalil Mack much longer, so drafting an edge player here fills a big need. Plus, you can never have too many great pass rushers when chasing down Patrick Mahomes. Kyle Kennard fits the range in Round 4.
158. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn – A+ Grade
KeAndre Lambert-Smith is yet another great value in the fifth round. I had him going later on Day 2! Lambert-Smith is a very quick receiver and a great route runner. I’m shocked he lasted this long, but the Chargers won’t complain, as he could help them right away at their problematic receiver position.
165. Orande Gadsen II, TE, Syracuse – B+ Grade
The Chargers traded up for Orande Gadsen II, whose father played in the NFL. Gadsen II could fill a need at tight end, a position some thought the Chargers would address at No. 22. The range makes sense for him.
199. Branson Taylor, OT, Pittsburgh – B- Grade
It’s never a bad idea to have some quality tackle depth. That’s what the Chargers are getting here with Branson Taylor. The Pittsburgh product could have gone a bit later than this, but I don’t hate the pick.
214. R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson – B+ Grade
R.J. Mickens showed off some impressive athleticism at the combine. He has upside, and I like the Chargers taking a chance on him late in Round 6.
256. Trikweze Bridges, CB, Florida – B- Grade
Trikweze Bridges is a huge cornerback with some upside, though he wasn’t projected to be drafted. The Chargers needed some help at corner, however.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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