The LA Chargers laid the foundation to be a Super Bowl-contending team in 2024, now it is time to build on it.
Los Angeles made the most of limited resources last offseason and still managed to improve by six wins and make the NFL Playoffs in Jim Harbaugh's first year with the team. Now, with more resources to use this upcoming offseason, the Chargers have a real opportunity to make that leap to become a true contender.
Whether it be in NFL free agency, the 2025 NFL Draft, or via trades, the Chargers have the means to give Harbaugh and Justin Herbert the necessary tools to succeed. In fact, the Chargers are in a prime position to make the biggest trade of the offseason, shocking the NFL world on draft night.
Using Pro Football Focus' Mock Draft Simulator, here is our latest Chargers mock draft, which includes a big-time trade.
Chargers trade 22nd pick for DK Metcalf in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
With the 22nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chargers select... a trade. Los Angeles desperately needs to add another top-tier receiver alongside Ladd McConkey and a new door has opened with DK Metcalf potentially on the trade market.
The Seahawks need to cut salary-cap space and trading Metcalf is a step in that direction. Metcalf is owed a new contract after the 2025 season and likely will hold out into training camp if he does not receive one. All the stars are aligning for Seattle to get what it can out of Metcalf with the Chargers emerging as a home-run candidate to make the trade.
This situation is eerily similar to the AJ Brown situation and we all saw how that worked out for the respective teams involved. Metcalf is older than Brown was when he was traded but the numbers for the two wideouts are similar. Because of his age, though, the Chargers can get away with sending just a first-round pick instead of having to send an additional third, which the Philadelphia Eagles did.
In general, the Chargers should operate more like the Eagles, who have been one of the most successful teams since Howie Roseman took over. Metcalf would be far more impactful than anyone the Chargers can take with pick No. 22, and would instantly catapult the team into that upper tier.
Chargers select IOL Tyler Booker with 54th pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
The Chargers need to find a new starting center and right guard this offseason and check one of those boxes here with Tyler Booker. Booker is a two-year starter at left guard for Alabama but should have no problems flipping sides and replacing Trey Pipkins.
Originally an offensive tackle who made the transition inside, there should be no qualms with Booker playing right guard next to Joe Alt. Booker's skillset will translate on either side of the offensive line and will give the Chargers a much-needed upgrade in the interior.
Booker is the definition of a dominant force who has used his size and strength to excel in blocking, especially in the run, at the collegiate level. The six-five, 350-pound offensive lineman may need to clean up some of his technique in pass pro at the NFL level but he would be joining the perfect team to hide his (albeit small) flaws as a blocker.
The Chargers are looking for dominant offensive lineman who can establish the line of scrimmage and it helps that he would have arguably the best pair of tackles playing outside of him. Warren is exactly the physical presence the Chargers need to establish the run and is a no-brainer pick in the second round if he is on the board.
Chargers select EDGE Sai'vion Jones with 86th pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Chargers would take a tight end in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft after watching what happened to the position last year. But with the team trading a first for Metcalf, and using a second on a much-needed offensive lineman, it has to be smart and address the defensive side of the ball with a top-100 pick.
There is a way to get another top-100 pick to have it both ways (trading Joey Bosa), but that is a conversation for another day.
Instead, the Chargers go with the potential of Sai'vion Jones with the 86th pick in the draft. While he needs to be coached up as a pass-rush specialist, Jones has legitimate NFL size and should be able to play anywhere but nose tackle on the defensive line depending on the situation.
Even if Khalil Mack returns, the Chargers need to start thinking about the future of the defensive line and Jones can be part of that plan.
Chargers select TE Elijah Arroyo with 122nd pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
The Chargers finally add to the tight end room in the fourth round with a prospect who, quite frankly, may not be a fourth-round pick by the time April rolls around. Arroyo definitely is in range to be a fourth-round pick as the draft board currently stands but he is a prime candidate to rise up draft boads if he stands out at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.
In another draft class Arroyo would be taken even higher but this tight end class is loaded, allowing the Chargers to potentially wait to get their guy. Arroyo is not without his flaws as his blocking needs work and will limit how many snaps he can play as a rookie in the league.
However, Arroyo has legitimate pass-catching potential and that is where he would make his money early on with the Chargers. Will Dissly can serve as the blocking specialist, which he was signed to be, while Arroyo can be the pass-catching tight end who can actually run a good route tree with sure hands.
As far as the rest of the draft goes, rounds five through seven are truly a crapshoot and are impossible to predict this far out before the Senior Bowl or the Combine. For now, we will stick to just four rounds.