The LA Chargers are in a great position to build on the foundation Jim Harbaugh built in 2024. After an offseason with virtually no flexibility in what the team could do, the Chargers enter the 2025 offseason with resources galore.
One of those resources is the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Chargers have a litany of picks thanks to compensatory selections. If the Chargers can put together another draft class like 2024, with the addition of free-agent signings, then the Bolts truly could be a Super Bowl contender next season.
The Chargers got a lot of intel about the 2025 NFL Draft class this past weekend thanks to the Senior Bowl. Several prospects raised their draft profile with strong showings in the game and the practices leading up to it. Some of those prospects may end up being Chargers.
In honor of the Senior Bowl, we put together an entire four-round Chargers mock draft that solely consists of standouts from the last week. Using Pro Football Network's Mock Draft Simulator, here is what we came up with.
Chargers select Mike Green with 22nd pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Edge rusher Mike Green was one of the biggest standouts of the Senior Bowl, so much that he may no longer be in the Chargers' range with the 22nd pick. Green was on the board in this mock draft, though.
Green is an athletic specimen who has all the tools to be a successful pass rusher as early as his rookie season. The Marshall edge rusher will likely be a work in progress against the run but he has legitimate superstar potential if he can put it all together.
Edge rusher may not seem like a first-round need for the Chargers but it is time the Bolts look to the future. Even if Khalil Mack returns, the Chargers need to inject more youth into the edge rusher room other than Tuli Tuipulotu.
Green would give the Chargers another weapon to create an edge rusher rotation that is effective and would also give the team someone who could be a legitimate star in no time.
Chargers select Grey Zabel with 55th pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Tackle Grey Zabel showed off his extremely high ceiling as an interior offensive lineman during Senior Bowl practices and cemented himself as one of the most exciting center prospects in the entire draft class.
The Chargers need a new starting center and right guard in 2025 and Zabel could be an answer at either position. Zabel projects to be better as a center but he truly has positional versatility that only increases his value.
Zabel is a legitimate first-round talent who could fall to the late second round simply because of positional value. Centers often fall farther down draft boards than expected (look at Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier last year), which gives the Chargers a real chance to take an exciting second-rounder.
Chargers select Elijah Arroyo with 86th pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Tight end is one of the biggest needs for the Chargers entering the offseason. Many expect the team to take either Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland in the first round to give Justin Herbert a legitimate passing weapon at tight end.
As great as those two are, this is a deep tight end class, specifically in the pass-catching department. Nobody is going to complain if the Chargers take a tight end in the first round but with exciting options later in the draft, the Bolts can afford to wait.
One of those exciting options is Elijah Arroyo, who showcased his potential as a pass-catching tight end during the Senior Bowl. Arroyo may be a work in progress as an in-line blocker but that is fine, the Chargers have Will Dissly to serve that role.
At the end of the day, the Chargers really just need a tight end who can catch passes from Herbert. Arroyo has all the makings to be that guy.
Chargers select Ollie Gordon II with 124th pick in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
The final pick in this four-round mock draft (there is no point in going longer than four rounds this early in the process) is Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon had a great week in practice and an equal showing in the game itself (even throwing a touchdown pass), raising his draft stock in the process.
With this being such a loaded running back class the Chargers can land true talent as late as the fourth round. Gordon is someone who could go as high as the second round in other drafts and his underwhelming season for Oklahoma State actually helps the Chargers.
Gordon's draft stock fell after he failed to follow up on his exceptional 2023 season. However, Gordon showed during Senior Bowl week that he has the juice to be a legitimate difference-maker at the running back position.
The Chargers should probably still re-sign J.K. Dobbins if the price is right but Gordon is a great option to feed off Dobbins as a rotational back. Los Angeles could bolster the running back room and give themselves their future starter in the process.