Chargers go full Jim Harbaugh, invest in trenches in 2025 NFL mock draft

Thanksgiving typically serves as the demarcation point where contenders separate themselves from pretenders. It also represents the first true time fans can look ahead to the upcoming draft class, and thus, brings us our first LA Chargers mock draft for 2025.

A lot will change between now and the 2025 NFL Draft. The Chargers' draft position and the team's roster needs will be different once the 2024 season ends and free agency begins.

But based on early signs now, we can put together a three-round Chargers mock draft that could resemble reality next April. Using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, that is exactly what we did.

Chargers 2025 NFL mock draft, Thanksgiving edition:

Round 1, pick 25: Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia

The first inclination when doing a Chargers mock draft is to add to the offensive side of the ball. Michigan tight end Colston Loveland has become the consensus favorite to land in Los Angeles for obvious reasons but he was off the board when the 25th pick rolled around.

Loveland may be the only offensive player the Chargers take in the first round. If it is not him, the Chargers likely should invest a first-round pick on a defensive player for the first time since the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mykel Williams is a sensible target for the Bolts as he could provide an immediate boost on the defensive line with the expectation of filling into a bigger role once Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack (if Mack even returns) leave the Chargers.

Williams is best suited on the edge but has shown the positional versatility to line up anywhere on the defensive line. As great as the front seven has been this season, the Chargers could use an injection of youth and Williams provides that.

Round 2, pick 57: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

Trey Pipkins is a likely cap casualty next offseason as his transition to right guard has not been great. The Chargers can free up cap space by cutting Pipkins and it is probably better for the team to invest in the future of the right guard position.

Doubling down on the trenches and going with a guard in the second round makes sense for a myriad of reasons. The most important M-O for this team is to protect Justin Herbert and this is a cost-effective way to do that.

Jackson comes from one of the top programs in the country (that Harbaugh is familiar with) and is adaptable to Greg Roman's zone-blocking scheme. He would start from day one for the Bolts and would probably be the best interior offensive lineman right away.

Round 3, pick 89: Ollie Gordon III, RB, Oklahoma State

Running back can be pushed back if the Chargers can land another J.K. Dobbins for cheap or are all-in on Kimani Vidal as a sophomore. But if those two things are not true, we could see Harbaugh and Co. commit to the running game and go with the uber -productive Ollie Gordon III.

Gordon has taken a step back this season and it has hurt his draft stock as a result but he still has Harbaugh written all over him. His shiftiness behind the line of scrimmage and vision to find new holes in the running game could hold him back as a pro and make it imperative that he lands on a team that can block well for him.

The Chargers will be able to block well for him in Greg Roman's offense, allowing him to get to the area where he thrives the most: the second level. With the added bonus of being a passing target, Gordon is a solid running back to pair next to Justin Herbert.

It may be surprising to not see positions such as wide receiver or cornerback in the top three but with the resources the Chargers have, the team may prioritize those positions in free agency. But of course, a lot can and will change in the next six months.