With the biggest wave of NFL free agency in the rearview mirror, the main focus for the LA Chargers has turned to the 2025 NFL Draft. While the Chargers will naturally still make signings from this point on, most of the attention has turned to bolstering the roster with 10 picks in the draft.
Not every pick is going to be a home run and some picks may take years to pay off. That is especially true in the later rounds, where the Chargers will target players with upside to eventually come into their own in the NFL.
With four picks in the sixth round alone, the Chargers will have many chances to take shots on day three of the draft. Some of those shots will naturally be offensive lineman with high athletic upside. That very well could end up being BYU's Caleb Etienne, who met with the Chargers during the Big 12 Pro Day.
Update: OT Caleb Etienne also held in-person meetings at @Big12Conference Pro Day w/ #Dolphins, #Raiders, #Chargers, per source. #49ers virtual meeting. #Saints virtual + local day invite (in-person). #Seahawks virtual.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 19, 2025
40: 4.96/4.97
VJ: 30"
BJ: 9"6'
6-7, 86" WS, 329 pounds 👀 https://t.co/MyOT6zRV69
Chargers meet with Caleb Etienne ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
Just because the Chargers met with a prospect does not guarantee they will select said prospect in the NFL Draft. In fact, this Chargers regime has primarily used pre-draft meetings to vet any injury or character concerns with prospects.
That being said, we are only going off one year of a sample size and that should not be sold as gospel. After all, the Chargers hosted Michigan tight end Colston Loveland on a visit and he is the dream first-round pick for many Chargers fans.
Etienne could be in play for the Chargers on day three of the NFL Draft and there are exciting traits in his game. The six-foot-seven, 320+ pound tackle put together an impressive day at the Big 12 Pro Day that showcased his incredible athletic upside.
Athletic upside does not guarantee success in the NFL but it is a strong starting point for a prospect that will be selected in the later rounds.
Etienne is far too raw to ever be considered an impactful player for the 2025 season. However, because of his upside, the Chargers may just want to get him in the building to see what can be done in his development.
If selected, Etienne would be a healthy scratch most weeks with the long-term vision of him becoming the team's swing tackle, replacing Trey Pipkins after the 2025 season. If the Chargers are going to take a chance on a day-three offensive lineman, the team might as well take a chance on someone with high athletic upside like Etienne.