Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has talked extensively about compensatory draft picks ever since he first arrived in Los Angeles. After his creativity was on display with how LA approached free agency last offseason, Hortiz is now in a position to reap his reward. Over The Cap's Nick Korte released his annual list of comp pick projections for 2025 and Chargers fans will be happy.
The Chargers are projected to receive extra fifth, sixth, and seventh-round selections. Based on the comp pick formula, Korte sees the departures of linebacker Kenneth Murray, tight end Gerald Everett, and cornerback Michael Davis yielding those picks respectively.
Given financial compensation, the departures of running back Austin Ekeler and defensive tackle Austin Johnson are canceled out with signings of cornerback Kristian Fulton and running back Gus Edwards.
For clarification on this, Ekeler was part of the comp calculation. He and Austin Johnson were cancelled out by Kristian Fulton and Gus Edwards APYs. https://t.co/rnn1uENfNC pic.twitter.com/qVtm0mQU98
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) January 21, 2025
Chargers projected to receive 3 compensatory picks in 2025 NFL Draft
This obviously bodes well for the totality of the capital the Chargers will enter the offseason with. Los Angeles will enter the draft with 10 picks once the comp picks are officially awarded in March at the start of the new league year.
The last time the Chargers had 10+ draft picks to work with was 2004. That was of course the night the Chargers took Eli Manning with the first pick in the NFL Draft and traded him following his known refusal to play for the franchise.
In addition to draft capital and being able to add in April, more picks likely gives them leverage for potential trades. The team was notably linked to DK Metcalf a few days ago by ESPN's Jeremy Fowlere.
Whether it's that deal or another trade target, LA has some extra ammunition to tack onto trades relative to previous offseasons. Unlike last year's financial situation, they also have the requisite salary cap space to be able to absorb big contracts.
Hortiz certainly values his fifth, sixth, and seventh round selections. Last year, the Chargers were able to get starter level production CB Tarheeb Still and CB Cam Hart in the fifth round. RB Kimani Vidal, WR Brenden Rice, and WR Cornelius Johnson were also brought in late on day three in last years' draft.
With over three months left until the draft, the comp pick news is good for the Hortiz-Harbaugh regime as they look to continue to add talent in year two.