The Los Angeles Chargers coasted to a 3-0 start to the 2025 NFL season, but they've since dropped two straight contests to NFC East foes. It's hard to put into perspective just how much this team has been plagued by injuries, but Jim Harbaugh and Co. must make due with what they have.
Chargers fans knew that depth was going to be huge this season, but they also knew Justin Herbert needed another weapon in the passing game this offseason. So, Joe Hortiz selected Ole Miss wideout Tre Harris with the No. 55 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Harris was once a beloved pick, as he had a strong showing in Week 2 of the preseason and showed flashes to begin the year. Even while most thought he was an answer at wide receiver, some LA fans knew that the team ignored a glaring hole by selecting him instead of another player.
Chargers may already regret taking Tre Harris over Tate Ratledge
Taken just two picks after the team grabbed Harris was Georgia guard Tate Ratledge, who ended up with the Detroit Lions. Chargers fans loved Ratledge during the pre-draft process, as he made a ton of sense for the team, given their interior offensive line issues.
It stings now to see Ratledge as an instant starter on the Lions' offensive line; meanwhile, Harris has barely cracked the rotation in Los Angeles. Whereas Ratledge has started all five games and played every offensive snap, Harris has not caught a pass since Week 2.
To make matters even worse, the Chargers' lack of offensive line depth has been tested like no other this season. Mekhi Becton has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, Zion Johnson has been painfully average, and key backup Jamaree Salyer is playing right tackle now out of necessity.
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In another world, Ratledge is saving the day in Los Angeles right now, and Harris is with a team that can utilize him more as a rookie. But Quentin Johnston took a leap nobody expected him to, Keenan Allen has been a big contributor, and Ladd McConkey is still Ladd McConkey.
This has left Harris to play only 85 offensive snaps this season. Even though he has performed adequately in those opportunities, he is not making nearly the impact that Ratledge could be right now as at least a solid depth piece, but probably a starter on the interior offensive line.
Hindsight is always 20/20, and it is still just five games into the season. But the once-beloved pick of Harris already looks like a bit of malpractice from Hortiz, as the fan base knew that guard depth was an issue. The Chargers' choice to ignore it has already come back to bite them.