The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing for the 2025 Draft. Coming off of a rough end to this season, there are a lot of needs for this team. The offense didn’t show up much all season and this draft has a lot of skill players for the Chargers. On top of this, the Chargers may let a lot of players walk for more money in the offseason. With that in mind, there are a few players the Chargers can be expected to take in the first round. Here are some of those guys and why the could or couldn’t be playing for the Chargers next year.
TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Colston Loveland seems like the perfect fit for the Chargers in this draft. The Bolts are obviously in need of a Tight End, and there are two elite TE prospects projected to go right around their first pick. Michigan’s Loveland and Penn State’s Tyler Warren will be taken in the first round and the chances are they will meet their expectations. However, there is much divide as to who is the better pick for the Chargers. In my opinion, Loveland is the better fit in Los Angeles. For one, Warren is perceived as the better prospect and there are TE needy teams in the picks ahead of the Chargers. Most notably, the Broncos are picking at 20, and Tyler Warren is a very viable option at that spot. On top of this, Loveland is a Michigan Man, and the chances are Jim Harbaugh would welcome him back to his squad. Warren wouldn’t be a bad option (getting to that in a second), but Loveland seems like the most likely option for the Chargers.
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Tyler Warren could very well be the best talent available at pick 22. Warren was an elite do-it-all TE for Penn State. He could jump in and immediately be TE1 for the Chargers next season. Out of all of their needs, Warren is easily the best player that could be available. However, there are a few reasons Colston Loveland makes more sense. No Chargers fan should be mad if they take Warren in the first. In fact, he could be the better pick. Although, he isn’t as likely of an option as Loveland.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Without a doubt, the Chargers need help at WR. For that reason, many think they could go after Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka in the first round. Egbuka could be a star in the league, but investing in receiver in the draft again may not be the best idea. With their top WR being Ladd McConkey, the Chargers would be smart to get a veteran receiver to pair with Ladd. A guy like Tee Higgins or DK Metcalf would make much more sense than having two young receivers with nobody to learn from. Egbuka or another receiver like Matthew Golden out of Texas may not be bad picks, but receiver feels like a position that makes more sense to upgrade in Free Agency or via trade than the draft.
EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Mike Green is also in the realm of possibility at pick 22. The EDGE out of Marshall has raised his value a lot since the Senior Bowl. This has propelled him into a surefire first round talent and he could even go higher than 22. The Chargers could need a lot of help when it comes to the pass-rush for multiple reasons. Joey Bosa could be a trade/cut candidate this offseason, and Khalil Mack may leave in Free Agency. Plus, interior guys like Poona Ford are free agents. For these reasons, it may make sense to take an EDGE in the first round. However, this draft is much deeper at EDGE than TE, and a player the Chargers can take in the third round could be just as good in this Jesse Minter scheme. Mike Green will probably be a problem for opposing quarterbacks, but he just isn’t the best fit for the Chargers at pick 22.