After a stellar showing in Jim Harbaugh's first draft with the LA Chargers in 2024, the team has seemingly put together another great class in 2025. Nothing will be official until the draft class hits the field, but Chargers fans are over the moon with how this class looks on paper.
The theme of the draft was surrounding Justin Herbert with weapons. Los Angeles drafted four offensive weapons between running back Omarion Hampton, wide receivers Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and tight end Oronde Gadsden II.
While all those selections are great on paper, the best sleeper pick of the entire draft came on the defensive side of the ball. The Chargers drafted safety R.J. Micken with the No. 214 pick, which is the pick that nobody is talking about, but should be.
Chargers draft pick R.J. Mickens has sleeper written all over him
Part of the reason for the lack of fanfare around this selection is the current state of the Chargers' safety room. There does not seem to be much opportunity for a sixth-round rookie with Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Elijah Mitchell and Tony Jefferson all making up the room.
While it is true that Mickens may not get many chances on defense in his rookie season, the Chargers didn't just draft him for the 2025 season. They drafted him for the future, which seems to be very bright for the sixth-round pick.
It's actually strange Mickens fell as low as he did in the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Clemson safety has the exact blend of size and speed that NFL teams are looking for at the safety position and has extreme versatility to go with it.
Mickens lined up all over the Clemson defense, including in the box. While it is extremely unfair to compare him to Derwin James as living up to that comparison is nearly impossible, Mickens can do similar things as James with his physicality and versatility. At the very least, he is a sound option to be the team's backup nickel corner if James get injured.
All of these traits set Mickens up to have a fruitful career as an impactful defensive player. Even if his chances on defense don't come in 2025, Mickens will have plenty of chances to impact the team in other areas.
Mickens has special teams ace written all over him and it will not be surprising at all when he emerges as one of the best special teams players on the roster. That will just be a preview of what Mickens can do, as he should eventually blossom into an impactful defensive player for the Bolts.