The focus was on offense at the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft is over, now begins the time of reflection.
For the Los Angeles Chargers, a few positions needed significant attention. Thankfully, General Manager Joe Hortiz and the team have given Bolts fans reasons to be optimistic following their three days in Green Bay.
The Chargers defense topped several metrics in 2024, while the offense were middle of the road.
There is no surprise then, that the early picks were on the offensive side of the ball.
Welcome to LA, Omarion Hampton
With the 22nd pick in the draft, the Chargers selected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. Not saying we predicted it in the HuddleUK Mock Draft, but…
Hampton rushed for 3,164 yards over the last two seasons with North Carolina – only Ashton Jeanty totalled more.
The 22-year-old averaged 5.9 yards per carry over the last two season, and has scored 15 rushing touchdowns in each campaign. He also caught 38 passes in 2024 for 373 yards and two more scores.
The Bolts had already picked up former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris in free agency, and the hope is the pair can rush the Chargers to success in 2025.
In Harris they now have a running back who – if history repeats itself – will be available week in week out. The 2021 first-round pick has topped 1,000 rushing yards in all four of his seasons in the NFL and has never missed a game.
While not the most efficient rusher, Harris’ powerful and physical brand of rushing should open the door for Hampton to thrive as a rookie.
Last season the Chargers backfield consisted predominantly of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, both former Baltimore Ravens.
Despite having the 11th most rushing attempts in the league in 2024, the Bolts’ 1,882 rushing yards was only good for 17th in the NFL. Their 4.1 yards per carry ranked 25th in the league.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman will hope the Chargers can improve in all these metrics. With Harris-Hampton, they could have a recipe for success.
New weapons for Herbert
One man who would have been smiling from the sofa while watching the draft would have been Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Other than Ladd McConkey – who had an exceptional rookie season – the Chargers were severely lacking in another reliable receiving weapon.
Quentin Johnston showed flashes with eight touchdowns on 55 catches, while Josh Palmer managed just 39 receptions. Johnston and McConkey were the only players to top 600 receiving yards on the season.
Many a mock draft had the Chargers selecting a wide receiver in the first round, instead they repeated their 2024 actions with a second-round WR.
It worked out well last season for McConkey, and Chargers fans will hope for a repeat success in 2025 with Tre Harris.
Harris’ numbers speak for themself in 2024 – and this graphic posted on the Chargers X account speaks volumes to his talent.
The Bolts also added wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith and pass-catching tight end Oronde Gadsden II in the fifth round. Gadsden in particular will offer a big-bodied presence in the passing game which the Chargers were missing.
And sixth-round selection Branson Taylor will help add competition for snaps on the Chargers’ interior offensive line.
Holes patched on defense
The biggest needs on the defensive side of the ball were also well addressed.
Losing Poona Ford and Morgan Fox this season was a big blow for the Chargers. Third-round pick Jamaree Caldwell will help boost the interior of the defensive line.
Caldwell’s 17 quarterback pressures in 2024 were tied for sixth-most in the Big Ten for defensive tackles.
LA also drafted edge rusher Kyle Kennard in the fourth round. Khalil Mack is back in 2024 but is now 34 years old, while fellow edge rusher Bud Dupree is 32.
Add to that the departure of Joey Bosa this offseason, and the Chargers needed an edge rusher for the future to compliment last season’s sack leader Tuli Tuipulotu.
Safety R.J. Mickens and cornerback Trikweze Bridges will offer competition for places in the secondary.
