Most of the time, prospects taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft end up being the most important for a team's success. Just look at the 2024 LA Chargers, who were able to take a leap because of first-round pick Joe Alt and second-round pick Ladd McConkey.
While the Chargers have a pair of exciting picks from the first two rounds in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bolts' most important selection for the team's overall success was taken later in the draft.
It may seem ludicrous to say, but the Chargers' most important rookie from the 2025 NFL Draft is third-round pick Jamaree Caldwell. Defensive tackles, especially taken in the third round, usually aren't that impactful for a team's success. Caldwell is different.
Why Jamaree Caldwell is the most important Chargers rookie from the 2025 NFL Draft
This isn't to say that first-round pick Omarion Hampton and second-round pick Tre Harris won't be important. This also isn't to say that either of those players will play poorly in 2025. In fact, it should be quite the opposite as both players are in positions to succeed.
However, the Chargers can handle it if both Hampton and Harris are slow to develop as professionals in the NFL. If Hampton isn't ready to produce, the team still has Najee Harris and may even have J.K. Dobbins.
The best version of the Chargers is one that has Hampton playing a big role in the offense, but it is not needed for the Bolts to have a productive offense next season.
The same can be said for Tre Harris. Ideally, Harris would side in as a true No. 2 weapon that can bolster the offense. But even if he produces the same as Joshua Palmer did last year, it won't be a massive step back for the Bolts.
Caldwell is in a position where he has to produce, even if it comes in a rotational manner. Interior defensive line is the most troubling position on the Chargers roster heading into the 2025 season. Los Angeles lost standout nose tackle Poona Ford in free agency and replaced him with rotational options with less-than-exciting results.
The success of the interior defensive line hinges on two players: Caldwell and sophomore Justin Egoibge, who has put on weight this offseason in pursuit of having a bigger role. The Chargers will be in a rough position if these two young players don't step up.
Outside of Caldwell and Egoibge, the Chargers have Teair Tart, Otito Ogbonnia, Naquan Jones and Da'Shawn Hand. Tart had a breakout year for the Bolts but is still capped out at being a serviceable nose tackle. Ogbonnia hasn't shown he can take that next step yet; both Jones and Hand are rotational options who, ideally, shouldn't be playing a large portion of the snaps.
There is a reason why interior defensive line was the most likely position to be taken by the Chargers in the first round. But when all the compelling prospects were taken, the Bolts were forced to pivot and put off the defensive line until the third round.
For the Chargers to reach their absolute ceiling in 2025, the team needs Caldwell to play as if he was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.