Draft day has finally come and gone. As a exciting little piece of football to hold us over until the 2025 season starts, this draft was filled with excitement and great players starting their NFL journey. The Chargers started the draft with ten picks and because of a mid-draft trade ended up with nine new players to add into the fold. Out of every draft analysis I’ve seen for the Chargers so far, I haven’t seen a single one that’s been less than a B grade. The Chargers, with second year head Coach Jim Harbaugh and second year General Manager Joe Ortiz, went out and executed this draft perfectly and got some real key and depth players. After what they did with last year’s draft and even in the final rounds locking up our future with two amazing cornerbacks; this year I have all the faith in the world that they made the right call on round one through seven.

Round 1: Chargers had the 22nd pick in the draft. There were alleged conversations about a trade that was going to take place with the Philadelphia Eagles to move back. Presumably this fell through due to some kind of miscommunication, or not having enough time before the end of the clock. Boy am I ever glad that trade fell through, and Chargers fans should be too. Yes, it would have given us more draft capitol, but we ended up with a player that I didn’t believe was going to still be on the board passed the 16th pick. Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina. This guy is beyond impressive. I had him higher on my board than Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State who was selected 6th by the Raiders. The young man is consistent and is the only player in FBS to run for 1,500 yards each season the last two seasons. Not only is he a bruiser back being 6ft tall and 220lbs, but he was able to accomplish those 1,500-yard seasons with only one notable offensive lineman. Imagine him behind one of the best lines in the league with the Chargers. The pairing of Najee Harris behind the pro bowl level Chargers offensive line, is going to be one that no team will want to face in the upcoming season. If that wasn’t enough, his running back coach at North Carolina was none other than North Carolina Alumni and former Charger Natrone Means.

Round 2: One thing the Chargers needed in the offseason was help at wide receiver. Fueling rumors of a return of Keenan Allen, losing Joshua Palmer in free agency, the Chargers knew they were going to need to address the position. In the second round with pick number 55 they did just that. They drafted wide receiver Tre Harris out of Ole Miss. This Guy looks like a steal for being in the 2nd round. He’s a deep ball threat and has speed behind it. He’s great at knocking off defenders, and his route running is sharp and crisp to where he breaks defenders ankles constantly. Harris and Mike Williams are going to be amazing as a deep “X” factor for Justin Herbert.

Round 3: With losing Poona Ford in free agency, the Chargers needed a talented defensive lineman that can get after the gaps and running backs but also power through a sack or two. In round three they found a gem in Jamaree Caldwell out of Oregon. He’s big, can find the runner with ease, has great moves for getting past lineman, and has lightning speed for a big man. I’m hoping he finds his role as our nose tackle of the future but I see this kid being a starter if not at the start of the season most assuredly by the middle to end.

Round 4: With the 125th pick in the draft, the Chargers selected Kyle Kennard out of South Carolina. When we need to fill holes left by the departure of Joey Bosa in the offseason, we definitely found a gem in Kennard. Will Campbell out of LSU who was selected 4th in the draft by the Patriots had his lowest PFF grading in his collegiate career against Kennard, and there’s good reason for that. He is a natural at getting around offensive lineman, Even the best graded ones. With an amazing first step and an eye for offensive audibles, he is exactly what we need paired with Tuli and Mack in the defensive trenches.

Round 5. with the 158th pick in the draft the Chargers selected Keandre Lambert Smith out of Auburn. Another addition in helping with the wide receiver room, Smith has speed with running a 4.37, 40-yard dash time. Granted Auburn doesn’t have a complicated route running tree, I’m sure this deep threat speedster will come in handy for the Chargers.

Also, in round 5 the Chargers traded up to get Syracuse all time reception and yards leader for a tight end in Oronde Gadsden. At 6’5”, 236lbs, this guy is a beast that knows how to get open. Coming with some lineage, his dad played for the Miami Dolphins, he knows the game and has amazing hands, not to mention can block well when called upon. We finally have our tight end of the future, and we only had to use a fifth-round pick and trade a sixth-round pick to get him. Gadsden and newly acquired tight end Conklin with Will Dissly will be an amazing tight end room moving forward.

Round 6: With pick 199 in the draft the Chargers found their solution at Guard in drafting Branson Taylor out of Pittsburgh. The kid is a stud. He can block well for the run game, go up into the second level well and has a great ability to seal the pocket from defenders. No doubt this kid ends up starting week 1 for the Chargers.

Also in Round 6 the Chargers select Safety RJ Mickens out of Clemson. How their can be this kind of talent all the way in the 6th round is insane. Mickens will be behind Chargers staples Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, and Tony Jefferson, but this safety room is stacked and Mickens can be a staple for the future with Gilman on the last year of his contract. Mickens plays rough and tough football and has great hands and a great ability at stripping and recovering the football. He’s a dawg and I cant wait to see him develop under Derwin James and Jesse Minter.

Round 7: With our last pick in the draft the Chargers selected Trikweze Bridges. Great coverage in the secondary. Fast on his feet, and amazing at reading receivers on offense. A round seven pick but has all the skills to possibly become a great rotational piece for the Bolts.

Outstanding draft and amazing picks and patience, the Chargers were able to fully capitalize on this years draft. along with drafting the players listed above the Chargers signed 19 undrafted free agents, including a great prospect in Center Josh Kaltenberger, who scored a 9.72 out of a possible 10 on his RAS which ranked 20 out of 673 centers from 1987 to 2025. Joe Ortiz attention to detail and Jim Harbaughs knowledge of collegiate players from recently coaching Michigan, This draft class didn’t disappoint and moves everything for the Bolts in the right direction heading into the 2025 NFL season.