Chargers' sixth-round selection lucky to be on practice squad eight weeks into season

The Chargers 2025 NFL rookie class has been discussed with major positive connotation, due to the overwhelming positive returns halfway through the season.

Even with a few of the selections before their first sixth-round pick, not performing up to expectation, they are at least *spoiler alert* on the roster.

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Chargers rookie Branson Taylor lucky to be on the practice squad

Branson Taylor was the Chargers sixth-round pick in 2025, selected with the 199th overall pick. A selection that puzzled Chargers fans, as the majority of the fanbase had no clue who the Pittsburgh offensive lineman was.

However, the general positive spin was "he's a sixth round selection and drafting offensive lineman is seemingly a shot in the dark anyways".

That positivity did not last long once delving a bit deeper into his draft report. Ranked 315 overall on nflmockdraftdatabase.com, the positives for Taylor were his general strength in his anchor, decent burst and sturdy frame. Unfortunately, the negatives were a much longer list for the Pittsburgh offensive tackle.

A few of the major points made: Poor range, bad reaction skills, high pad level and is coming off a torn meniscus in his left knee. Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz still decided to select Taylor in the sixth round, hoping their developmental system would do right by Taylor.

The rookie offensive tackle was first tasked to move inside to guard, as the coaching staff saw that as a better fit for the rookie. The usual consensus is that slower tackles moving to guard can help mask their issues and highlight their strengths. This consensus did not ring true for Taylor.

The Chargers coaching staff realized that guard was not working out, and waited until Day 22 of training camp (after their first preseason game) to move him back to where he played all of his snaps in college, offensive tackle.

This poor handling of Taylor's early development is no fault of the rookie. Unfortunately, his play on the field during the preseason, showed of someone that is just re-learning his old position during his transition to the NFL level.