There are a lot of variables that will come into play for the LA Chargers in the 2025 NFL Draft. This is not like the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Chargers reasonably knew they would be picking between two players with the fifth overall pick.
There is a lot more variance with the 22nd pick in the draft as the Chargers have to sit back and see what transpires before them. That being said, there are still a lot of talented prospects in the 20s that could have an immeadiate impact in 2025.
As a result, the Chargers could try and take advantage of a strategy that other smart teams have utilized and trade back in the draft. The Chargers have not traded back in the first round since Eli Manning forced his way off the team. It's been that long.
In our latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, we explore the possibility of the Chargers trading back with the Houston Texans, who own the 25th pick. In this scenario, Houston trades the 25th pick and the 89th pick for the 22nd and the 124th pick. Using the NFL Mock Draft Database, here is how the draft turned out.
Chargers draft Michigan TE Colston Loveland with 25th pick
The Chargers picked up an extra third-round pick and still managed to land the team's dream first-round pick in the process. Los Angeles desperately needs tight end help and there is not a better receiving tight end in this class than Colston Loveland.
Jim Harbaugh previously called Loveland Michigan's version of Travis Kelce, so there is no denying he would want to reunite with him in Los Angeles. Loveland's ability to get open with sure hands give him the potential to be a top-five pass-catching tight end in year one.
There is some concern Loveland may be selected sooner but with tight ends traditionally falling in the draft (Brock Bowers was a top seven prospect at worse who fell outside the top 10), there is a chance Loveland falls to the mid-20s.
Chargers draft Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins with 55th pick
The Chargers should re-sign J.K. Dobbins this offseason to give a boost to the running back room. However, re-signing Dobbins to a one or two-year deal should not prevent the team from drafting the potential running back of the future.
Here, with the benefit of having an extra third-round pick, the Chargers can afford to use a second-round pick on Quinshon Judkins. This would give the Chargers an all-Ohio State backfield with Judkins and Dobbins as the primary two options, opening the door to potentially cut Gus Edwards for salary-cap reasons.
Judkins may not have top-line speed that turns heads but his ability to run with reckless abandon is going to be very intriguing for a Harbaugh-led team.
Chargers draft LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson with 86th pick
The Chargers absolutely should invest in the trenches with some fans wanting the team to go defense first after seeing what the Philadelphia Eagles did in the Super Bowl. If Loveland doesn't fall to the Bolts then the Chargers very well may take a defensive lineman in the first round.
But with how this mock draft played out, the Chargers wait until the third round to take LSU's Bradyn Swinson. Swinson was one of college football's biggest breakouts in 2024, putting together a 60-pressure, 8.5-sack season for the Tigers.
The Chargers would be smart to tap into Swinson's breakout performance to continue developing him as an edge rusher. Swinson has legitimate three-down potential and would have time to develop his skillset with what will hopefully be a solid edge rusher rotation in LA.
Chargers draft Georgia C Jared Wilson with 89th pick
Waiting until the third round to draft the team's starting center is not as risky as it seems on paper. There are a lot of good centers who were drafted later, several of which the Chargers missed out on.
Jared Wilson would be a safe pick for the Chargers. Wilson was nothing but consistent for Georgia as a starting center and has all the traits to succeed at the NFL level. His shortcomings are few and far between and will naturally smooth themselves out with experience in an NFL system.
With Wilson and a free-agent right guard signing, the Chargers would significantly boost the offensive line play heading into 2025. With a new top-tier tight end, a new running back in the rotation, and potentially a new wide receiver via free agency, most of the Chargers' offensive woes from 2024 will be solved.