The Chargers used a third-round pick on Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell (86th overall) and signed multiple defensive tackles to one-year deals in free agency, but more reinforcements to their defensive line will be needed in 2026. The Chargers ranked near the bottom of the league in YPC allowed (4.7, 27th) in 2024. Banks (6'6", 329 pounds) finished last season with seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with 3.5 of those sacks occuring in his final two games against Ole Miss and LSU, and he has the traits, athleticism, and upside to go much earlier than this.

McCoy had four interceptions last season after transferring in from Oregon State. He has good size and the ball production to match. Jim Harbaugh nabs a ball hawk for the secondary in the first round.

There aren't many clear top options in this receiver class right now, but I'm projecting a big season from Anderson. That would put him in the first-round mix. After setting the Oklahoma freshman touchdown receptions record in 2023 (10), he played in only one game in 2024 because of a quad injury and then transferred to LSU. Playing with Nussmeier at quarterback will help his profile. The Chargers could put together a solid group of young receivers in Anderson, Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston.

Best Pick: They landed my Better-Than captain Jamaree Caldwell in the third round, which is a steal. They finally have a player who can dominate inside against the run and push the pocket. Watch how good he becomes.

Worst Pick: Second-round receiver Tre Harris is a solid player, but I think there were better options on the board when they took him. He isn't a speed guy.

The Skinny: They landed good football players up and down the draft board, guys I really liked. Taking running back Omarion Hampton in the first will give the offense some juice in the running game. Caldwell will be a steal. I like tight end Orande Gadsden Jr. in the fifth. It was nice haul.

Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, tight end, guard and defensive tackle

It's Jim Harbaugh's second draft with the Chargers, and he further built this roster in his vision. Los Angeles had to make some tough salary cap decisions last season in cutting Mike Williams (before bringing him back after a year) and trading Keenan Allen in his first offseason with the team, and it continued this spring with Joey Bosa's release. But there is a new nucleus appearing, and I think some of these 2025 draft picks could be big parts of that.

The key picks here are their first few. Omarion Hampton is a three-down back with the ability to hit a home run any time he takes a handoff. He was the only player in the FBS to run for 1,500-plus yards and 15-plus touchdowns in 2023 and 2024. The Chargers also signed Najee Harris, so expect an effective rushing attack to support Justin Herbert. (They used play-action 33.6% of the time last season, second most in the league.)

Tre Harris was the other early pick. The Chargers desperately needed a wide receiver. Ladd McConkey had a great rookie season, but he was also a second-round pick responsible for 29.5% of the team's receiving yards (1,149). Harris has dealt with some injuries, but he has the talent to take weight off McConkey. Harris went over 1,000 yards despite playing only eight games in 2024.

The Chargers went defense in Round 3. They allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season (27th) and lost Poona Ford in free agency. Defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell is a solid run blocker, and the 332-pounder should improve that area of Los Angeles' defense (though I might have gone with Yahya Black or CJ West there; both of whom were ranked higher).

I'm surprised the Chargers didn't address the interior offensive line. I projected Grey Zabel to them in Round 1 in my final mock draft, but the only offensive line addition was sixth-round tackle Branson Taylor. I docked the Chargers a bit there, but there were some good Day 3 finds in their class. Kyle Kennard had 11.5 sacks last season and can help alleviate the loss of Joey Bosa. Oronde Gadsden II catches everything thrown his direction, which is why I listed him as my favorite sleeper tight end in the class. And safety Trikweze Bridges was one of my "Orange Crushers" on "First Draft" this year. I'm a big fan of his game.