Predicting Five Standouts Of Los Angeles Chargers Training Camp

Picked in the first round at 22, Hampton has already shown up on some lists, such as the PFF Running Back Rankings: Top 32, ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

He certainly has earned the praise, having gone up more than 100 rushing yards from his 2023 to 2024 college seasons, with double digits in rushing touchdowns (15) each of those years. And there’s a host of other stats I could quote, like his career highs in longest rush (75 yards) and first downs (81) in 2024.

Former Charger J.K. Dobbins was the first running back since Austin Ekeler to give the unit some juice, and though Najee Harris is in the mix, it could be Hampton’s show.

To pick a running back that early in the draft shows the commitment to the ground game, and now if the Los Angeles Chargers can figure out a reliable offensive line, Hampton should be able to keep up similar production to what he had in college, and training camp should be an easy win to glide into the regular season on a good note. 

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Tight End, Oronde Gadsden II 

Gadsden’s name came up a lot during the recent mandatory minicamp sessions. He made quite a few receptions working with the first, second, and third-team offense during those days, and Daniel Popper of The Athletic noted some particularly impressive ones, including on day 2 where Gadsden “broke away from safety Derwin James Jr. on an out route and hauled in the reception along the right sideline. Safety Alohi Gilman was also closing on the play, and Gadsden made the catch in traffic.”

While editorial director Eric Smith of the official Los Angeles Chargers site noted one of Gadsden’s plays from day one and said, “Gadsden, meanwhile, was drafted for his potential big-play ability in the passing game. He showed that on a second-and-10 play, when he ran a wheel route and Herbert hit him for a 20-plus yard gain. That could be a glimpse of how the 2025 fifth-round pick is used as a rookie this season.”

Gadsden was taken in the fifth round at 165, the result of a trade from the Eagles.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Gadsden was third in receptions (73) in the regular and postseason for Syracuse in 2024, tying wide receiver Jackson Meeks for receiving touchdowns (seven). Gadsden also had a decent run blocking grade (66%).

Based on how Gadsden has done so far in minicamp, he should be a shoo-in for production and praise in training camp, and if he keeps up the good work, he may be highly talked about during the season. 

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Wide Receiver, Ladd McConkey

By December 28th of 2024, Omar Navarro of the Chargers site relayed that McConkey had already broken rookie records for the Chargers in receptions (77) and receiving yards (1,054) in the regular season. After a stellar 2024, it looks like McConkey is just getting started.

On day 2 of minicamp, Popper said, “Herbert’s best throw of the day went to McConkey in seven-on-seven. Herbert fit a dime into tight coverage, splitting three defenders, on an over route.”

McConkey was the saving grace of this Los Angeles Chargers team last year, especially during the playoff loss to Houston, where he got a big-time touchdown during the fourth quarter to add some life into the offense. He’s on pace to have another great training camp and season, and despite the wide receiver room being a bit more crowded, McConkey will surely see quite a few targets again.

Cornerback, Tarheeb Still

Still, like McConkey, also had a great 2024 and seems poised to continue on an upward trajectory.

During organized team activities, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the LA Times said that Still was working with Ben Herbert, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Executive Director of Player Performance, during the majority of the week and EDGE Khalil Mack on Fridays. And the work seems to be paying off, as Smith noted that both he and cornerback Cam Hart had pass breakups on day two of minicamp.

Still was not far behind Hart with four pass breakups in 2024, and I expect more during training camp and the regular season, as well as for him to get even more interceptions (four) than last season. And as Hart is coming off a surgery, Still may have the upper hand when it comes to training camp.

Safety Derwin James Jr. talked about Still during his minicamp press conference, and how he wants Still to be a Pro Bowl and All-Pro player, so with James speaking it into fruition, the best place to start is dominating training camp. 

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Edge, Tuli Tuipulotu

I’ve already expressed my high hopes for Tuipulotu this upcoming season, and training camp should be the place where they start to become a reality.

Popper relayed during day 2 that, “Bosa’s departure has created a massive opportunity for Tuli Tuipulotu”, so the type of production that we should see from him in camp should be indicative of someone looking to take a starting role.