The LA Chargers may not have a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but the team can still land a franchise-altering player like they did Joe Alt in 2024.
Unlike last year, it is hard to pinpoint who exactly will be available when the Bolts are on the clock with the 22nd pick. The Chargers' decision is directly impacted by the 21 picks before them with there being a wide array of prospects who may or may not be available at 22.
ESPN's Mel Kiper has a surprising prospect falling to the Chargers in his most recent 2025 NFL mock draft. In a move that not many draft analysts have predicted, Kiper has Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan falling to the Bolts at 22.
"This would be a heck of an outcome for the Chargers," Kiper wrote. "This isn't a fantastic receiver class, and teams might prioritize other positions on Day 1, pushing guys such as McMillan down the board a little bit. The Chargers -- who already have last year's standout second-rounder Ladd McConkey -- would jump at the chance to add McMillan, who is consistent and has a really impressive catch radius.
Chargers land Tetairoa McMillan in Mel Kiper's 2025 NFL mock draft
Wide receiver is not at the top of the list of first-round draft needs for the Chargers this offseason. The team certainly needs another wideout to add next to Ladd McConkey but with other options, and other roster needs, wide receiver has not been circled as a first-round need.
This is a situation where the Chargers would throw draft needs out the window and take the best player available. If McMillan somehow falls to the 22nd pick in the draft then the Chargers have no other option. They have to take the Arizona wideout.
McMillan has legitimate WR1 potential and would be the perfect wide receiver to play alongside McConkey. The six-foot-five wideout is the definition of a vertical weapon who can make contested catches alongside the perimeter.
McMillan's does not sacrifice athleticism or versatility because of his size, though. The Arizona wide receiver lined up everywhere in the Wildcats offense, even including in the slot. That won't be needed with McConkey primarily playing in the slot but McMillan could play both the X and the Z for the Bolts.
Ideally, McMillan would give the Chargers the high-upside X receiver the team so desperately needs. Quentin Johnston would pencil in as the primary Z receiver with McConkey in the slot. Of course, those pieces can be moved around the chess board, but that would be the most successful alignment for the Chargers.
Justin Herbert hasn't had a real X receiver since Mike Williams went down with an ACL injury in Week 3 of the 2023 season. Having that role is extremely important to create a well-rounded offense, especially on got-to-have-it downs.
McMillan has legitimate Pro Bowl upside and with a quarterback like Herbert, could quickly emerge as one of the best wideouts in the league. By drafting him, the Chargers could create one of the best 1-2 receiver duos in the league and would do so in a cost-effective manner with both guys still on rookie deals.
All that to say... McMillan would be a dream for the Chargers.