It's time for LA Chargers fans to turn the page to the offseason, which means looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. While there is a lot of player movement that will happen before the draft, fans can already get an idea of what the Chargers will do come April.
There are far more variables in play this year as the Chargers will be picking in the 20s instead of in the top-five. It is impossible to predict what every team ahead of the Chargers will do, leaving a wide range of players who may be on the board when the Bolts are picking.
That won't stop us from putting together an NFL Mock Draft that addresses the Chargers' needs. Using the NFL Mock Draft Database's mock draft simulator, we put together a post-elimination four-round mock (because anything more than four rounds at this point is pure speculation) to try and get an idea of what the Bolts might do.
Chargers draft Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton in the first round
Just about every NFL mock draft has the Chargers taking Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland in the first round. To be fair, that seems like the most likely route as the Chargers need tight end help and both players will be legitimate difference-makers at the next level.
However, with the Chargers theoretically investing heavy in a wide receiver in free agency, Jim Harbaugh may prioritize the defensive side of the ball instead. After all, the Chargers have not drafted a defensive player in the first round since trading up for Kenneth Murray in 2020.
Plus, it is likely that both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are not with the Chargers in 2025. Bosa has one more year under contract but the Chargers can create over $26 million in cap space by cutting him and he did not play up to his price tag in 2024. Mack is more likely to return but is contemplating retirement, so it is unclear what he will do.
If the Chargers get early word of Mack's intentions then the team could keep Bosa around out of sheer necessity. Either way, the Chargers will need an edge-rusher early in the draft and land someone who has Harbaugh written all over him in Nic Scourton.
Scourton has legitimate NFL size with a toughness streak that made him an impact player both against the run and the pass at the collegiate level. Harbaugh loves dominating the trenches and Scourton is someone who aligns with that philosophy.
Chargers draft Georgia guard Tate Ratledge in the second round
The Chargers go back to the offensive side of the ball in round two, but not at the tight end position. Instead, the Chargers address their upcoming need at the right guard position with long-time Georgia right guard, Tate Ratledge.
Like with the Scourton pick, Ratledge is someone who plays a Harbaugh brand of football that should win the Chargers over when they watch film. He is physical, aggressive, and has all the tools to succeed in the type of offense the Chargers are trying to build.
The flaws in Ratledge's game that make him a second-round pick are all things that can be coached out of him. Ratledge does not appear to be someone who will routinely struggle with NFL stunts and should be able to hold his own physically. With the right coaches and pieces around him, Ratledge has all the tools to be an average-at-worst starter on day one.
Chargers draft Texas tight end Gunnnar Helm in the third round
Here is the tight end pick that Chargers fans were waiting for. And while Gunnar Helm is no Warren or Loveland, there is a lot to love about his game when it comes to the Chargers.
Helm is the definition of a pass-catching tight end and would instantly add juice to the Chargers' passing game. He may not have the same dynamic route tree as Loveland and is not as well-rounded as Warren, but he arguably has better hands than both. Helm has only two drops to his name in his collegiate career, which is the same number of drops Will Dissly had on Saturday alone/
This pick seems less like a Harbaugh pick as Helm is not someone who is going to dominate in the trenches as a blocker. However, selecting him will allow Dissly to do what he was signed to do in the first place: block. The Chargers can overlook Helm's blocking (which can still get better, keep in mind) because of his potential as a pass-catcher.
Chargers draft Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro in the fourth round
If Sebastian Castro is on the board for the Chargers on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft then the team should take him without question. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter made a living out of his versatility secondary in 2024 and Castro brings a versatility that is only rivaled by Derwin James.
Granted, Castro obviously does not have the same All-Pro ceiling as James but he does have the ability to line up anywhere in the secondary. Castro has played safety, in the nickel and at outside linebacker. Having someone like him opens more matchup doors for Minter in 2025.
James was at his best in the nickel in 2024 and the Chargers need to add another safety to allow James to continue doing that in 2025. Castro isn't the type to only play deep safety, but he would give the Chargers' secondary a versatility factor very similar to that of Elijah Molden.
Castro is also an older prospect (he will turn 25 in October) and that works out nicely for the Chargers. He may not have the same long-term upside as other day-three fliers, but he is more of a sure-thing to be an impactful player on day one.
The Chargers have plenty of darts to throw on day three of the draft to find someone with long-term potential. With Castro, the Chargers would get someone who is more likely to be impactful right away.