The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books and after putting together an exceptional draft class in 2024, the LA Chargers appear to have hit another home run. The final verdict won't be out until the players actually hit the field but fans are over the moon about who the team has brought in.
The Chargers sent an obvious message to the fanbase in the 2025 NFL Draft that the team is trying to support Justin Herbert with more weapons. Los Angeles also sent a message to those on the roster, as some draft selections have a direct impact on certain players.
Here are the players who are impacted, and the messages the Chargers have sent.
3 Chargers who were sent a message in the 2025 NFL Draft:
Quentin Johnston
The message the Chargers sent to Quentin Johnston in the NFL Draft was quite obvious: he has to earn every single snap he plays from here on out. Johnston will no longer get the benefit of the doubt simply because he is a first-round pick.
Los Angeles selected Tre Harris in the second round of the draft in addition to signing Mike Williams this offseason. There is a real path for Johnston not to be one of the top-three receivers on the team, especially if the Bolts make more WR moves before training camp.
Johnston is only going to play in 2025 if he earns it and proves he has turned a corner. Based on his first two seasons in the league, fans are not convinced that will happen.
Najee Harris
Najee Harris just signed with the Chargers are he is already getting sent messages from the team. The Chargers took Omarion Hampton in the first round of the draft and sent a pretty clear message to Harris about his future.
Harris, who signed a one-year deal with the Chargers, will only be with the Bolts for that one season. Hampton will be the bona fide RB1 in 2026 with Harris back on the free-agent market looking for a new team.
Quite frankly, Hampton may become the RB1 quickly in the 2025 season as well. As big of a name as Harris is, it's important to remember he has averaged fewer than four yards per carry in his career. That isn't going to look great if Hampton is tearing it up.
Ja'Sir Taylor
A day-three pick from the old Chargers regime, Ja'Sir Taylor has struggled in the NFL and didn't do much better with Jesse Minter as his defensive coordinator last season. With no real ties to this coaching staff, it's fair to wonder if Taylor will even make the 53-man roster in 2025.
Taylor being cut is more likely after the 2025 NFL Draft and that is the exact message the Chargers are sending to the defensive back. Los Angeles took safety R.J. Mickens in the sixth round and cornerback Trikweze Bridges in the seventh round to send that message.
The Mickens pick should be especially concerning for Taylor. While Mickens likely won't play much on defense in his rookie season, he has all the makings of being a special teams ace. This inherently gives him more value than Taylor, who does not provide that same special teams impact.