The 2025 NFL Combine is officially underway as the LA Chargers look to find the next generation of stars to lead the team under Jim Harbaugh. If last year's draft is any indication, the Chargers will do just fine in drafting quality players in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles does not have the luxury of having the fifth overall pick but the team is not limiting itself to only look at prospects who will go later in the first round. In fact, the Chargers appear to be preparing for anything, including a massive swing for one of the biggest prospects in this draft class.
The Chargers have an official meeting scheduled with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at the NFL Combine. Jeanty was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024 after putting together one of the best seasons in modern NCAA history.
Chargers meet with dream prospect Ashton Jeanty at NFL Combine
Running back is not a top need for the LA Chargers this offseason, especially with J.K. Dobbins likely returning to the team. However, if Jeanty is somehow on the board at 22 the Chargers would be foolish to pass on someone with generational upside.
General manager Joe Hortiz is known for taking the best player available over the biggest need (hence why the team drafted Joe Alt over Malik Nabers last year) and Jeanty would fit that billing. There will not be a single player better than Jeanty if he is on the board at 22.
However, it would be a legitimate surprise if Jeanty was available at 22. This is a rather thin draft class and you could make the case for Jeanty being the most purely talented player in this class. Running back has less positional value in the NFL Draft but this year it might not matter.
Plus, the Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl off the heels of a heroic performance from Saquon Barkley in the NFL Playoffs. With that fresh in the entire league's mind, Jeanty is going to be even more intriguing.
That being said, the door is always open for the Chargers to be aggressive and trade up in the draft. It might be unlikely, but if Jeanty falls close enough to 22 for the Chargers to move up then it absolutely is a possibility.
By meeting with Jeanty, the Chargers are at least confirming that could be a possibility.