Read: Omarion Hampton Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: B+

2nd round (No. 55 overall): WR, Tre Harris

Worry started to set in for the Chargers, seeing that plenty of players who were perfect for their needs were going off the board. Guys like Nic Scourton, JT Tuimoloau, Terrance Ferguson and Elijah Arroyo were all flying off the board, but a few guys remained. One of which was Tre Harris, a weapon for Justin Herbert.

The theme of bolstering the offense continues, giving the Chargers a real fun outlook going into 2025. Harris fills the need of the much-needed “X” receiver, complementing Ladd McConkey, who plays in the slot for the Chargers. The Ole Miss receiver has size, speed and immense production (1,030 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games) who can easily come into this Greg Roman-led offense and produce.

A perfect pick for the Chargers, who have the corpse of Mike Williams left to play at “X” and now have youth to learn under the former Chargers first round draft pick. If you were to nit-pick this selection, this is as early as it got for Harris, who was looked at as a mid-second-round to mid-third-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft due to a few nagging injuries he has suffered in the previous two seasons. He will also need to work on his route tree in the NFL if he truly wants to become a number one option.

Read: Tre Harris Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: A-

3rd round (No. 86 overall): IDL, Jamaree Caldwell

After two selections on offense in the first two rounds in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chargers opted to finally get their interior defensive linemen to upgrade their weak room. Even with a few veteran additions of Naquan Jones and Dashawn Hand, this room had plenty of room for improvement.

The Chargers did just that and took Jamaree Caldwell, the large defensive tackle out of Oregon. Caldwell may not have the best RAS score, but he shows pretty great twitch and creativity in his rush for his size (6’2 332). Expect Caldwell to come in on day one and compete for a starting job next to the newly re-signed Teair Tart. His competition are the veterans mentioned above, Otito Ogbonnia, last years’ fourth round selection, Justin Eboigbe and FB/IDL Hybrid, Scott Matlock.

The argument for Caldwell not being a slam-dunk A+ pick is that he is 24 years old and was projected to go early fourth round, which was only a little ways away from where the Chargers selected him. Overall, a very good selection for this Chargers defense.

Read: Jamaree Caldwell Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: B+

4th round (No. 125 overall): EDGE, Kyle Kennard

The Chargers had plenty of options at EDGE available to them in the fourth round, as it was a major need for the Chargers. Whether it was trading up for the falling Bradyn Swinson, or simply taking their guy, Kyle Kennard, there was a route to help the Bolts on the EDGE.

They opted to take Kennard, a pass rusher out of South Carolina. He brings immense pass rush juice, with the ability to counter off failing moves, very comparable to how Joey Bosa was able to hand fight to victory during his Chargers career. An SEC-leading 11.5 sacks show the Chargers that Kennard knows how to rush the passer, and they got a good one to go next to Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipolotu for the 2025 season.

Falling to 125 as the 89th-ranked prospect on the 2025 NFL Draft Consensus Board, Kennard could very well be the Mack replacement in 2026 and create havoc on this Chargers defensive line for years to come. An exciting selection for the Chargers, which warrants the highest grade, an A+.

Read: Kyle Kennard Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: A+

5th round (No. 158 overall): WR, KeAndre Lambert-Smith

The Chargers come back with their fifth-round pick and select Auburn’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the second receiver they have taken in this draft. This selection is to allow the Chargers to have their speed guy, as Lambert-Smith ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and could also jump out of the gym on film, mossing defenders in the pass game. If Lambert-Smith can provide special-teams value, he could very well make this roster and spell the end of former fourth-round selection Derius Davis.

Lambert-Smith was drafted a bit higher than projected, as he was the 218th player on the consensus board, and will take some development to truly see his tools translate on offense. His lack of special teams experience could be concerning, but with Chargers superstar Special Teams Coach, Ryan Ficken, on the staff, this development should happen quite easily. A somewhat disappointing selection, considering Colorado State’s WR Tory Horton was still available this late in the draft.

Read: KeAndre Lambert-Smith Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: C

5th round (No. 165 overall): TE/WR Oronde Gadsden II

The Chargers traded away pick 209 to move up to select Oronde Gadsden II out of Syracuse. A receiving weapon who posted great numbers in 2024, with 934 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season in Orange. This production was had while playing Tight End, a position that is new for Gadsden II, who was playing WR for his prior years in college, including a season of 900+ yards of production at that position as well.

Gadsden II brings great production, size, speed and length to the Chargers Tight End room, who desperately needs a receiving threat in the room as Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly are both capable but not exceptional in that area. He will likely become the instant Stone Smartt replacement for the Chargers and hope to develop into something much more threatening. A surprising selection for the Harbaugh regime, as Gadsden II has ways to go to become a real in-line Tight End with blocking prowess.

Read: Oronde Gadsden II Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: B

6th round (No. 199 overall): OL, Branson Taylor

The Chargers needed some more offensive line depth, and decided to select Branson Taylor, Offensive Tackle out of Pittsburgh. A player that flew under the radar during draft season, likely due to his knee injury he suffered that disallowed him to finish the college season and perform at the combine.

Taylor is 23 years old and has plenty of snaps at both left and right tackle, though his home in the NFL is likely at Guard. With what he lacks in speed and length, he makes up with power and violence. A perfect fit for the Harbaugh offense, especially considering Taylor’s deficiencies will be masked with a move inside to guard.

As a real competitor for Jamaree Salyer, who’s in the last year of his rookie deal, Taylor can come in and provide long-term depth, in an offensive line focused team.

Chargers Draft Grade: C

6th round (No. 214 overall): Safety, RJ Mickens

The Chargers follow the path the Ravens do every draft, and select best player available. Considering General Manager, Joe Hortiz is a Ravens desciple, this philosophy led the Chargers to take RJ Mickens, Safety out of Clemson.

Mickens was projected to go in the second or third round due to his height, weight and speed combo, coupled with three years of starting experience playing all different types of spots along the Clemson defense. The sixth round pick will instantly compete for Safety 4 on this roster with Tony Jefferson, who is likely going to be a practice elevation candidate who will play when asked upon, just as he did last year.

If Mickens impresses on defense and special teams, he can very well earn Safety 3 next year once Alohi Gilman’s contract is up. A great value selection for the Chargers that does have real meaning for the roster in 2025 and beyond.

Read: RJ Mickens Scouting Report

Chargers Draft Grade: A+

7th round (No. 256 overall): DB, Trikweze Bridges

The Chargers were one selection before the infamous “Mr. Irrelevant” pick, thus selecting Trikweze Bridges arguably could be even more irrelevant than the man who will garner attention for being the last draftee in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Can Bridges make a name for himself in Powder Blue? At 6’2 196 with 4.45 speed, Bridges out of Florida brings size and speed for Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter and DB Coach, Steve Clinkscale to mold into a strong NFL contributor.

He will have to compete Ja’sir Taylor and Deane Leonard for a final roster spot, both of which are strong special teams contributors. An uphill battle for Bridges lies ahead, but with both Taylor and Leonard having their contracts up after the 2025 season, he could find himself on the roster as the replacement in 2026 after a long practice squad stint.

Chargers Draft Grade: C