The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books and the LA Chargers made several notable picks to bolster the team's roster in 2025 and beyond. The overall consensus around the Chargers appears to be positive, although not every single pick was a home run.
Every selection tells a different story and has a different expectation in 2025. Let's dive into those different stories and expectations with draft grades and a side of bold predictions.
Grading every Chargers 2025 draft pick:
Omarion Hampton: A
The first round did not break in a favorable way for the Chargers as several potential candidates were off the board by the time the Chargers were on the clock. This led the Chargers to consider a trade down, which reportedly fell through at the 11th hour because of a communication issue.
Some may say that is a bad sign for running back Omarion Hampton but at the end of the day, the Chargers landed the best player available. Hampton was clearly a first-round talent who is a lot closer to Ashton Jeanty than most fans realize.
Hampton will be a great complementary back for Najee Harris who should have no problem taking over as the long-term bell-cow back. In fact, Hampton may not even need to wait until Harris' one-year deal is over to be the RB1.
Bold prediction: Omarion Hampton quickly usurps Najee Harris as RB1
Tre Harris: A+
Drafting Tre Harris in the second round was the best pick of the entire draft for the Chargers. The Chargers stayed patient, let the draft board come to them, and landed a wide receiver who should have an instant impact on the team.
Harris has sure hands and legitimate contested-catch ability that will make him a dynamic X receiver on day one. Harris may not have the make-up to be a legitimate top-tier WR1 but the Chargers don't need that with Ladd McConkey on the roster.
Los Angeles drafted a perfect complement to McConkey for the long run. With McConkey getting a majority of the targets, and the Chargers potetially bringing in another wide receiver still, Harris' rookie year numbers may not be huge volume-wise but his impact will be felt in the long run.
Bold prediction: Tre Harris has a quieter rookie season before exploding in year two
Jamaree Caldwell: C+
Taking defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell in the third round certainly is not a bad pick. However, there is naturally less excitement in drafting a defensive tackle who may not get much playing time in his rookie season with a top-100 pick.
That is not to say Caldwell won't blossom into an every-down defensive tackle who has a tangible impact on the defense. The potential is there if the Chargers can develop him. However, this is one of those picks where the Chargers had to make it. There is nothing wrong with that, even if it's less exciting.
Bold prediction: Jamaree Caldwell plays less than 50% of defensive snaps
Kyle Kennard: A
This may seem hyperbolic, and that is really easy to do with draft picks who have not played an NFL snap, but this might be the best value pick for the Chargers in the entire class. Kyle Kennard is a day-two talent who somehow fell right into the Bolts' lap in the fourth round.
The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year joined exclusive company with South Carolina last season and led the entire SEC in sacks. Kennard is someone who doesn't just get pressure on the quarterback but finishes with vicious intent.
Kennard will be a rotational edge rusher in his rookie season but will make the most of his opportunities. If he can improve his run defense he can be a true every-down edge rusher.
Bold prediction: Kyle Kennard has more sacks than Tuli Tuipulotu did in his rookie season
KeAndre Lambert-Smith: D-
This pick doesn't make as much sense. KeAndre Lambert-Smith has game-breaking speed but there are simply too many areas of needed improvement to guarantee him a spot on the Chargers' 53-man roster next season.
Lambert-Smith seems to be a plan B option behind Derius Davis as a special teams/gadget player. Using fifth-round draft capital to take a backup for a niche role is an interesting move that may not have made the most of the draft capital.
It's easy to only look at the upside of Lambert-Smith. However, with how the Chargers' roster is constructed, there is no guarantee he is even on the team in Week 1.
Bold prediction: DeAndre Lambert-Smith doesn't make the initial 53-man roster
Oronde Gadsden II: A
This was a great pick on a multitude of levels for the Chargers. Not only did the Bolts land one of the better pass-catching tight ends in this draft class but the team traded two picks it received essentially for free to do so.
Oronde Gadsden may never be a starting tight end because of his blocking ability but he has the potential to be a dangerous pass-catching tight end in key spots. The only downside of this pick is that the Chargers could have just used the previous pick on him and used the extra draft capital in a different way.
Bold prediction: Oronde Gadsden has more receiving touchdowns than Will Dissly
Branson Taylor: B-
A depth offensive lineman with versatility in the sixth round. There is absolutely nothing to complain about here, even if the selection doesn't end up amounting to anything.
Branson Taylor played tackle for Pitt but projects to play guard at the NFL level. Branson may have a chance at the starting left guard role if Zion Johnson plays center, and at the very least, provides versatile depth for the next four years.
That being said, in a perfect world, the Chargers won't need to use Taylor at all in his rookie season. That would indicate the offensive line is healthy and firing on all cylinders.
Bold prediction: Branson Taylor doesn't play at all on offense, is a healthy scratch most weeks
R.J. Mickens: C+
This is the stage of the draft where the Chargers are looking for cost-controlled depth pieces that can contribute on special teams. That is exactly the reason why the Chargers took safety R.J. Mickens in the sixth round.
Mickens shouldn't get much playing time on defense as he looks to carve out a role in Ryan Ficken's special-teams unit. Mickens is already saying all the right things, and could quickly become a fan favorite because of his impact on the third side of the ball.
Bold prediction: R.J. Mickens records 20 combined tackles
Trikweze Bridges: C
Everything that was written about Mickens can also be written about Trikweze Bridges. However, the second-to-last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft does not appear to have as much potential on special teams right away, which will limit his chances.
The Chargers will almost certainly want to keep Bridges around in some capacity. However, as a late seventh-round pick, the chances of Bridges actually making the 53-man roster are fairly slim.
Bold prediction: Trikweze Bridges misses initial 53-man roster, is re-signed to practice squad