It was a year for the history books for Chargers rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II in 2025. And at one point, it was never meant to be that way. Gadsden was a healthy scratch for the team in their first two games last season. It wasn't until a Will Dissly injury in Week 3 that he got the chance to play. Despite, that, Gadsden still shattered the yards and receptions by a Chargers rookie TE records. He finished the year with 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns.
Gadsden proved he was more than the average fifth-round pick as a player in his rookie season. His game is not perfect. The drops got a little bit messy towards the end of the season and he'll never necessarily be a top blocker in the league. But his receiving production has him in a great spot heading into year two with the Chargers, especially in OC Mike McDaniel's new offense.
Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II earns some respect from NFL personnel in a key new poll.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been updating his annual top 10 lists as voted on by NFL personnel at each position. While Gadsden didn't make the top 10 list itself, he did receive votes to be included. In the receiving votes category, Gadsden was alongside names like T.J. Hockenson, Isaiah Likely, Dallas Goedert, Juwan Johnson, Brenton Strange, and Hunter Henry.
The big question for Gadsden II this year is whether or not he'll be able to build on his 2025 production. On the surface, it seems unlikely he surpasses the numbers he put up this year. This is especially true after the team added both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku to the TE room. Compared to his competition on the roster last year, Gadsden will have to fight harder for snaps, playing time, and targets.
Even if there is a statistical dip this year as a result, it would be a huge win for the Chargers if Gadsden is more allowed to line up as an F tight end and less as an inline blocker. That's at least part of the theory as to why the Chargers signed Njoku and Kolar.
There aren't many fifth-round tight ends that have put up top 10 worthy level production at the position in their rookie seasons. The fact that the NFL executives, scouts, and coaches are already seeing that from Gadsden is another feather in GM Joe Hortiz's day three draft cap.
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