The Los Angeles Chargers crashed out of the playoffs with a 32-12 defeat to the Houston Texans in the wild card round.
Justin Herbert struggled mightily in this contest, throwing four interceptions – more than he had all season (3). Other than Ladd McConkey, it is apparent that the offense lacks consistent play-making ability. Can the Chargers find some offensive playmakers? Find out in this Los Angeles Chargers 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
7-Round Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft
After finishing 5-12 in 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh and completely overhauled the culture and identity.
Harbaugh brought a more physical identity, drafting Joe Alt fifth overall, moving on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as his offense was to be heavily predicated on running the football and winning in the trenches.
That plan panned out for Los Angeles, as the team finished 11-6, earning the fifth seed in the AFC.
The roster construction allowed the Chargers to win up front and beat the teams that they should have, but against playoff-caliber teams, the lack of weapons on the outside became apparent.
Although the end of the season was an ugly result, this team is built to compete in the long term. With a few more additions to the offensive side of the ball, this could be a dangerous team in 2025.
However, until Herbert gets over the hump and wins his first career playoff game, the narrative around him and the franchise will continue to linger.
With eight picks in the upcoming draft, let’s take a look at how the 2025 NFL Draft could play out for the Chargers.
22) Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Wide receiver will be the popular suggestion for the Chargers with their first-round pick, but in a class where receiver is iffy outside the top two – Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan – there is no need to force it at that position.
Instead, Los Angeles will look at a different avenue in giving Herbert some help in the passing attack. The best offensive weapon on the board was tight end Tyler Warren.
Colston Loveland will be the name that many draft analysts will connect with the Chargers due to his college connection with Harbaugh, but even if the two players are available when Los Angeles is on the board, Warren provides much more upside.
The former Penn State tight end’s athleticism paired with Herbert’s ability to dissect defenses in the middle of the field is a match made in heaven.
In Greg Roman’s scheme, tight ends are a focal point of the passing attack, which is why we saw a little bit more of Will Dissly than we would like. Dissly had two costly drops – one which led to a interception that essentially closed the door against the Texans.
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Warren is an elite pass catcher who can win 50-50 passes, create after the catch, and possesses elite contact balance.
The last two seasons we have seen rookie tight ends immediately contribute to their offenses – Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers – and Warren fits that mold.
If the Chargers are unwillingly or unable to sign a marquee receiver in free agency, there is no doubt that the front office will look towards the draft to provide Herbert with a player he can regularly rely on other than McConkey.
55) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Los Angeles’ run defense was middle of the pack this season, giving up 120 rushing yards per game, much in part because the Chargers’ interior defensive line was lacking.
Tyleik Williams’ potential is through the roof, but he struggles with consistency. Under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s guidance – who completely turned around the defense with the same personnel – Williams would be able to develop and become a high-end contributor sooner rather than later.
Harbaugh has obviously made it clear that he wants to win in the trenches on both offensive and defensive lines, and this pick fits that train of thought.
86) Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
If you haven’t caught on to the trend by now, these first three picks are players from the Big Ten. Harbaugh has familiarity with the conference and can identify which players made things more difficult during his time in Ann Arbor.
Kaleb Johnson is one of the best running backs in a strong draft class, and was elite this past season, totaling 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries.
The Chargers’ rushing attack with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards lacked explosiveness and consistency. Dobbins ripped a number of long runs early in the season, but he slowed down as the season went on. Edwards was neither efficient nor inspiring as a runner, averaging 3.6 yards per carry in 2024.
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Johnson provides explosion and efficiency, while developing into a reliable contributor in the passing game, earning career highs in receptions (22), receiving yards (188), and touchdown receptions (2).
Running back is another focal point of this offense, and Johnson could be an upgrade in his first season in the system and could have the whole backfield to himself with the aforementioned running backs entering free agency.
124) Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Asante Samuel Jr. is slated to enter free agency this offseason and was placed on the injured reserve after week six, not playing a snap since. It is unclear whether or not the team will re-sign Samuel.
Regardless, the Chargers need to address the secondary, specifically cornerback.
At 6’2″ and 194 pounds, Zy Alexander is a lengthy and physical defensive back who excels in man coverage and can disrupt routes at the line-of-scrimmage.
His ability to also win at the point of attack and make plays on the ball, as he is able to keep pace with most wide receivers.
The 24-year-old cornerback would be able to contribute right away and could quickly ascend up the depth chart and earn the CB1 role.
158) Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
With Khalil Mack mulling retirement and Joey Bosa a potential cap casualty – Los Angeles can save $25.3 million in cap space, while eating $11.1 million in dead cap – the Chargers need to make it a concerted effort find an edge rusher or two this offseason.
There are a couple of names to watch in free agency, but in terms of the draft process, Mike Green would be a steal at this point of the draft.
Green led the entire FBS with 17 sacks this past season and had a true breakout season in his second year at Marshall.
The 6’4″, 248-pound pass rusher is a but undersized, but if he can add some weight and strength, he could be the steal of the draft.
Los Angeles could add a veteran pass rusher in free agency to pair with Green, who has the ability to consistently create pressure with his arsenal of moves to beat offensive linemen.
174) Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
As mentioned, wide receiver is a position of need, and although Tee Higgins could be an option for the Chargers, Pat Bryant is a much cheaper option, who possesses a similar skill set.
Bryant only caught 54 passes in his senior campaign at Illinois, but he was still able to collect 984 yards and 10 touchdowns.
As a fifth- or sixth-round selection, the 6’3″, 200-pound wideout is worth the shot.
Quentin Johnston has proven that he is not reliable, dropping countless passes and failing to create separation on a consistent basis. Bryant can create space, especially in zone coverages, and could give Herbert a larger margin of error, having the ability to catch away from his body.
181) Power Echols, LB, North Carolina
Denzel Perryman’s injury in the wild card game against Houston highlighted Los Angeles’ lack of depth at linebacker.
That is exactly what this pick would provide for the Chargers, depth. Echols sideline-to-sideline speed makes him an elite cover linebacker, while possessing the ability to make tackles in the run game.
214) Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
Derwin James was finally able to stay healthy and prove that he can be an elite, all-around safety in the NFL. However, health has always been a concern for James and is why bulking up that department with another safety would be a valuable long-term move.
Jonas Sanker is a dual-threat safety, who can play a multitude of roles – similarly to James – and his football IQ makes him even more dangerous to opposing offenses.
217) Josh Priebe, G, Michigan
Interior offensive line leaves is the weak link of the Chargers’ offensive line. Although this is a bit late to address that need at this point of the draft, Josh Priebe can provide stability as a guard.
It is not a high-risk, high-reward selection, but Priebe can provide steady play or be utilized as a depth piece along the offensive line.
254) Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas
In the NFL you can never have too many pass rushers to fill out your depth chart, especially ones who can develop into rotational edge rushers.
Barryn Sorrell falls into that category, and if he can refine his technique and expand on his versatility, he can be just that for the Chargers, or any team who decides to draft him.
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