The NFL Draft is under a month away, and Chargers fans are eager to see what general manager Joe Hortiz has up his sleeve to salvage the roster after a relatively lackluster free agency period.
The Chargers sit at pick No. 22, but currently only hold five selections. With several holes across the roster, there are plenty of questions about where Hortiz will go at 22 and beyond, assuming he even stays put. With that in mind, here are three current Chargers who should be a bit nervous depending on how the draft unfolds this April.
Quentin Johnston
This is a no-brainer. With trade rumors already circulating, even if they suggest Johnston is unlikely to be moved, a wide receiver selected in the first three rounds could signal trouble for the former first-round pick out of TCU. Harbaugh and Hortiz have to be encouraged by Johnston’s improvement over the past two seasons. Once nearly unplayable, he has developed into at least a usable asset and a red-zone threat since Harbaugh’s arrival.
That said, he is not a player this regime drafted, and his price tag is set to rise soon if the Chargers choose to keep him. If a receiver is taken early, Johnston’s future with the team becomes uncertain. Could he request a trade? It’s unlikely, but competition from a high draft pick could put him in a difficult position.
Oronde Gadsden II
Gadsden quickly became a fan favorite early in the season, flashing real potential and carving out a role in the offense. He likely still has a place in the receiver-tight end hybrid group, but expectations need to be kept in check. At the end of the day, he is still a fifth-round pick and far from a lock to hold onto a starting role if the Chargers invest in a tight end early in the draft.
His early-season production was exciting, but the drop-off later in the year can’t be ignored. Was that due to broader offensive struggles? Probably. Still, if the Chargers take a tight end on Day 1 or Day 2, Gadsden should expect to be pushed into a complementary role at best in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Kyle Kennard
Kennard dominated SEC competition but still fell to the fourth round, which tempered expectations heading into his rookie year. Even so, the lack of flashes in his first season was noticeable. For a player with his production profile, more signs of explosiveness would have been encouraging.
The Chargers are in a position to take an edge rusher at pick 22, and if that happens, Kennard’s path to playing time becomes even more difficult. With Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, a potential first-round pick, and Justin Eboigbe all likely ahead of him, Kennard could find himself buried on the depth chart. There’s still a chance he takes a step forward, similar to what Eboigbe showed this past season, but if not, his role could shrink quickly.
In the end, the NFL Draft isn’t just about adding talent, it’s about replacing it. Joe Hortiz has shown he’s capable of doing exactly that. For these three players, draft weekend could change everything.