It's not radical to say that, in 2025, the Los Angeles Chargers had a number of issues on their roster.
The offensive line is an obvious place to start. But the run defense had significant struggles throughout the course of the season, and their receiving core often felt like it was operating at a distinct disadvantage.
It goes without saying, therefore, that the Chargers need to make some major roster changes this offseason. However, one issue that mostly flew under the radar in 2025, the underperformance of their special teams unit, could prove to be their simplest fix.
Kaden Wetjen out of Iowa will be available late in the draft. While his stock is rising after a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Bowl, he could be Los Angeles's ideal target to re-shape their special teams attack.
The Chargers have a simple draft solution to their special teams woes
If you asked Jim Harbaugh, he'd likely tell you that football games are won on the margins. The Chargers' special teams did very little to help them there in 2025.
Their primary kick and punt returner, Derius Davis, struggled with health issues throughout the season, but he was not very effective even when he was healthy. Los Angeles finished with the fifth-fewest yards per punt return and the seventh-fewest yards per kick return in the NFL.
Davis was not the only issue for the Chargers special teams unit. They also were susceptible to big plays on opposing returns. They finished in the bottom-six of the league in yards allowed per both kick and punt return.
For an offense that struggled to move the ball all season, disadvantageous starting field position was just another obstacle to overcome.
Wetjen could provide an answer.
In his Senior season at Iowa, he acted primarily as a special teams player, averaging an absurd 29.8 yards per kick return and 26.8 yards per punt return. For reference, Davis finished 2025 with marks of 25.8 and 7.0, respectively, in those categories.
Wetjen also showed flashes at the Shrine Bowl of his abilities as a route-runner. He finished his career at Iowa with 23 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown.
But, as a player who is primarily projected as a specialty receiver at the NFL level, he will likely be taken on Day 3 if he is even drafted at all.
For most teams, it wouldn't be worth spending that type of pick on Wetjen's. For the Chargers, however, he could prove to be the piece they need to begin to resurrect their special teams in 2026.