The Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles has already flipped the Chargers’ identity on its head. Power run game, physical defense, and a roster built from the inside out—it’s all very on-brand. But if the Chargers want Justin Herbert to take the next step, they’ll need some more explosive playmakers on the offense.
Wide receiver remains a glaring long-term need. The room consists of Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Mike Williams, who's back in a big way after signing a one-year deal to return to SoCal. San Jose State’s Nick Nash isn’t your typical WR prospect, but nothing about his path has been conventional—and that’s what makes him such a compelling fit.
Nash went from dual-threat quarterback to All-American wideout in two seasons. His sharp football IQ, ball-tracking skills, and vertical presence make him a weapon in the right system. With Harbaugh looking for toughness and versatility, Nash brings both.
Here’s our scouting profile on the former Spartan.
San Jose State WR Nick Nash 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 195 pounds
- Recruiting: 2018 2-star, Unranked
- Midseason First-Team All-America Team (2024), All-Mountain West Second Team (2023)
- Led all NCAA WRs (2024) in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,382), and receiving touchdowns (16)
Positives
- Former quarterback with elite football IQ—reads coverage and adjusts routes mid-play like a pro
- True three-level weapon with strong hands, clean tracking, and explosive leaping ability
- Long frame and smooth acceleration allow him to eat up cushion and win vertically from the slot
- Competes hard through contact and shows veteran-like poise on in-breaking routes over the middle
Nash’s game is rooted in his understanding of leverage and space. He’s not the twitchiest receiver in this class, but he wins with intelligence, timing, and length. His background as a quarterback gives him a massive edge in identifying soft spots and exploiting coverage rotations—traits that show up over and over again on film.
At 6-foot-3, Nash brings size and contested-catch ability that makes him dangerous from the slot or stacked alignments. He’s excellent at tracking the ball deep and does a great job timing his acceleration to separate late. He’s tough, he’s productive, and he hasn’t stopped improving since the position switch.
Negatives
- Still developing his route tree—tends to rise up on breaks, telegraphing shorter routes
- Struggles to separate against sticky man coverage and hasn’t shown much against the press
- Questions remain about his projection outside, where he saw limited reps and could face physicality issues
There’s no denying Nash is a work in progress. His route-running at intermediate levels needs polish, and he’s not someone who consistently creates early separation against tight coverage. When defenders get hands on him, he can be slowed down, and there’s minimal tape of him working against press coverage.
There’s also some projection involved here—Nash is a sixth-year senior, and while that comes with maturity, it also limits how much development teams can expect physically. Still, the technical growth he’s already made suggests he’s far from maxed out.
Nick Nash NFL Player Comparison: Romeo Doubs
- Primary Comp: Romeo Doubs
- Alternative: Allen Robinson
- Floor Comp: Freddie Swain
Nash’s vertical pacing, size, and ability to work the middle of the field align closely with Romeo Doubs, another Day 3 pick who developed into a reliable target with plus ball skills and feel. Both have enough size to threaten vertically and can win on deep crossers, fades, and back-shoulder throws.
Allen Robinson represents Nash’s ceiling—an elite-contested catch specialist with smooth movement and a brainy approach to route-running. That kind of development arc isn’t out of reach if Nash refines the technical side of his game.
Nick Nash 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Day 3 (5th/6th)
Nash isn’t a plug-and-play WR1, but his size, IQ, and ball skills make him a great value on Day 3 with the potential to go Day 2. With the right development and role, he could become a go-to target over the middle for Justin Herbert. He’s a Harbaugh kind of guy—tough, smart, and ascending.