Several stars have emerged from the last two LA Chargers draft classes under general manager Joe Hortiz. In just two years, Hortiz has already proven to be a better drafter than Tom Telesco, who had a truly disastrous multi-year run, outside of Justin Herbert, at the tail end of his career.
That doesn't make Hortiz perfect, though. There are picks that Hortiz would definitely take back, some taking longer to admit defeat on than others. While Hortiz and the Chargers would never admit defeat on a draft pick who was just selected seven months prior in April, it might be time for the fanbase to.
And in this instance, it's not even the player's fault. The Chargers simply didn't make the selection that would have the most impact on this year's team. Best player available is a popular draft motto, but at some point, you absolutely have to fill roster needs.
Just look at the offensive line as key evidence here. The Chargers made just one offensive line addition this offseason, Mekhi Becton, and it hasn't gone as planned. Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh may regret not being more proactive with the line, even if that would have meant no Tre' Harris.
In a perfect world, the Chargers would have drafted guard Tate Ratledge in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, not Harris.
Chargers may live to regret taking Tre' Harris over Tate Ratledge
Again, this has absolutely nothing to do with Harris himself. The former Ole Miss wideout has potential and has flashed that potential thus far this season. Just because he hasn't come along as quickly as Ladd McConkey doesn't mean he is going to be a bust.
That being said, Harris hasn't really jumped off the page as a massive difference-maker. He is a solid wideout who will provide quality depth as an X receiver option for years to come. There's value in that, there just would have been more value in drafting an offensive lineman.
Ratledge hasn't been perfect this season but he's arguably been better than anyone the Chargers have on the interior offensive line. He is already one of the better run blockers in the sport and is coming into his own as a pass-protector.
Most of all, he is a cost-controlled asset on the offensive line the Chargers could develop. There is no long-term certainty with any of the guys the Chargers have on the interior offensive line. Los Angeles has put itself in a situation where it continually has to rebuild that front.
Chemistry can be everything for an offensive line. The Chargers haven't fostered a situation to build long-term chemistry.
Ratledge would have impacted the Chargers far more than Harris has thus far. The rookie wideout has played 41% of offensive snaps. He's caught 16 passes for 137 yards with one touchdown.
Quality receivers come out of the mid-rounds of the NFL Draft every year. Knowing a second-round rookie wouldn't play much of a role in 2025, the Chargers probably would have been better off using that selection on a guard. That train of thought is made even stronger when you consider KeAndre Lambert-Smith showed more potential in the preseason and has been a healthy scratch all season.
The Chargers would have gotten more out of taking a guard in the second round and letting Lambert-Smith have a more prominent role on offense. And that guard was always Ratledge, who we mocked to the Chargers time and time again leading up to April's showcase.
But alas, Harris was the pick. Now all we can do is sit back and hope he develops into a true star, and that the Chargers somehow figure out the interior offensive line.