The Best and Worst Picks from the Chargers’ 2025 Draft

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The Best and Worst Picks from the Chargers’ 2025 Draft

Jay Canale · Athlon Sports

Fri, May 2, 2025 ·

6 min read

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The Chargers' 2025 NFL Draft was anything but predictable. From the surprise selection of running back Omarion Hampton in the first round to waiting until the sixth to address the offensive line, it was a weekend full of bold moves and calculated risks.

Some of those picks already look like potential hits; others are less so. As always, the challenge is figuring out which selections will pay off in the long run, and which ones might not hold up with time.

There are easy standouts, like UNC running back Omarion Hampton, and more questionable fits, such as Pitt offensive tackle Branson Taylor. Here's a closer look at which picks could become cornerstones, and which ones may not age as well.

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs for a touchdown in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

For starters, let's focus on the positives.

Running back Omarion Hampton will significantly impact the Chargers' offense in every facet, as an excellent receiver out of the backfield, an explosive option on the ground, and a reliable pass protector. His pass protection should also help quarterback Justin Herbert feel more comfortable in the pocket, with the intelligence and grit to hold up against blitzing defenders, as shown below.

His home-run ability and vision in the run game should help anchor a rushing attack that lacked consistency last season. In 2024, the Chargers ranked 24th in rushing success rate, per TruMedia. While the backs weren't solely to blame, the additions of Hampton and free agent Mekhi Becton should make the ground game more dependable.

Overall, Hampton should be an instant impact player in the Chargers' offense, with the play strength, mentality, and gritty style that fits what head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to see from their run game.

The Chargers drafted Tre Harris in the second round, who should be able to be a high-impact offensive piece for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Harris was incredible during the first seven weeks of 2024, leading the country in receiving yards by 181 yards in that span. Harris' explosive play ability and quarterback-friendly play style make his role in the Chargers' offense an easy projection.

Harris' offense didn't require him to run a diverse route tree, with over 60% of his routes from 2024 being either a go, curl, or slant route, according to Matt Harmon . However, the Chargers have Mike Williams slotted in as the starting X receiver for the upcoming season, providing Harris a buffer to expand his route tree throughout the season.

Either way, Harris projects as an impact player for the Chargers over time, with high-level ball skills, the toughness to fight through the first tackler, and a desire to improve his game. In an interview with The Athletic's Dane Brugler , Lane Kiffin had this to say about Harris:

"He truly prepares like a 10-year NFL vet. … This guy is all about being a great player and doing whatever it takes."

Overall, Harris looks like an ideal stylistic complement to Ladd McConkey and a valuable addition to the Chargers' offense.

The other player Chargers fans should be excited about is their third-round selection, Jamaree Caldwell, the nose tackle out of Oregon.

Caldwell should take significant reps at nose tackle for the Chargers early in his career. He was a great run stuffer during his senior year at Oregon, using his play strength and technique to consistently hold up against or split double teams. He also flashed some pass-rush upside, showcasing incredible lateral agility for his size and impressive hands.

One of Caldwell's primary flaws is that he sometimes plays too fast, resulting in too many missed tackles in the backfield. However, his effort level and motor remain high throughout the game, demonstrating impressive conditioning for a player weighing in at 332 pounds.

Overall, Caldwell needs to refine his technique and control his wild side; however, with NFL coaching, he could easily become a dominant run defender and contribute as a pass rusher for the Chargers for a long time.

The Chargers' worst pick wasn't a poor selection because of the player, but because of the fit. In the sixth round of this year's draft, the Chargers selected Pitt offensive tackle Branson Taylor, who they plan to move to guard.

Taylor has a higher upside on the inside, but he didn't take a snap there throughout his entire college career. Given the Chargers' shortcomings along their interior offensive line last season, they should have considered drafting a player with more interior experience than Taylor has had. Considering his torn meniscus from October of last season and his lack of guard experience, he isn't expected to compete for the starting left guard position anytime soon.

This could be a problem for the Chargers, considering they lack any high-upside players at guard or center, with Zion Johnson , Bradley Bozeman , Jamaree Salyer , Andre James , and Trey Pipkins all competing for the starting left guard and center positions. Each of these players have had significant NFL experience, and barring a surprising breakout season from two of them, none are expected to be anything more than average this upcoming season.

The good news is that the Chargers loaded up on playmakers in this draft, headlined by Hampton and Harris, two prospects with the tools to become offensive cornerstones under Jim Harbaugh's vision.

Overall, the good outweighs the bad in the Chargers' 2025 draft class. They came away with two potential instant contributors in Hampton and Harris, and added a disruptive defensive presence in Caldwell. Not every pick will hit, which is the nature of the draft, but the Chargers made clear, calculated bets on talent that fits their system. If even a few of those upside swings pay off, this class could help lay the foundation for the Harbaugh era.

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