How about a playmaking tight end to give quarterback Justin Herbert an additional dynamic target? How about a hulking interior offensive lineman to better protect Herbert? How about a hard-hitting defensive lineman or pass rusher to keep the NFL’s top defense at the top?
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has a number of ways to go with his picks when the NFL draft plays out April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. How he might proceed is anyone’s guess, as of today, but what’s clear is that he has a number of options as he conducts his second draft on the job.
Factors could change dramatically between now and the start of the draft. The Chargers’ needs now could be different in April, based largely on what happens during what’s expected to be a busy free-agency period for Hortiz and the Chargers. Priorities might be greatly different in the coming months.
How so?
For starters, outside linebacker Khalil Mack will be an unrestricted free agent March 12 for the first time in his Hall of Fame-caliber career. He might sign elsewhere, creating a void at what had been a position of great strength during his three-year tenure with the Chargers.
Or perhaps Mack will re-sign with the Chargers, a team he has said gives him the best chance to win. The Chargers have made the playoffs in two of his three seasons since they acquired him in a trade with the Chicago Bears before the 2022 season. His return would eliminate a pressing need.
Also on the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers’ draft plans also could be altered if they are able to re-sign free agents such as defensive linemen Poona Ford and/or Morgan Fox, two key figures in the team’s No. 1 ranking. The Chargers gave up a league-low 17.7 points per game in 2024.
Unlike last year, when Hortiz and Coach Jim Harbaugh scrambled to put together their first roster in only a few months, and with significant salary cap issues, they’ll have more time and more options to brainstorm and plan better for free agency and the draft – not that they didn’t do well last year.
Here’s an early look at how the Chargers’ draft might unfold, with assists from Pro Football Focus, Pro Football Network, The Athletic, NFL Mock Draft Database and a lot of guesswork that will inevitably prove to be futile by April 24, so don’t go betting the family farm on this:
Round 1 (No. 22 overall)
The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds
Analysis: The Chargers could go in a number of different directions with their first pick, but adding another playmaker for Herbert figures to be a top priority. Loveland played for Harbaugh at Michigan before Harbaugh jumped to the Chargers after the 2023 season. Loveland has the size to aid in protecting Herbert, too.
Other options: Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart, Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer, Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka, Ole Miss DL Walter Nolan, Michigan DL Kenneth Grant, Ohio State DL Tyleik Williams, Alabama OL Tyler Booker.
Round 2 (No. 55 overall)
The pick: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Measurables: 5-11, 208 pounds
Analysis: The Chargers desperately wanted to establish a solid running game in Greg Roman’s first season as their offensive coordinator, and they did, but only to an extent. J.K. Dobbins rushed for a career-high 905 yards, but he’ll be a free agent. Adding the potentially explosive Henderson would bolster their ground game.
Other options: Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr., Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson, Ole Miss edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, North Dakota State OL Gray Zabel, LSU TE Mason Taylor.
Round 3 (No. 86 overall)
The pick: WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
Measurables: 5-10, 165 pounds
Analysis: Johnson could prove to be the Chargers’ third consecutive offensive selection as they seek to become more dynamic. Johnson could form an ex-Oregon Duck connection with Herbert, who could use another playmaker or two or three after a throwing for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2024.
Other options: Fannin Jr., Taylor, Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo, Illinois WR Pat Bryant.
Round 4 (No. 124)
The pick: Edge rusher Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
Measurables: 6-3, 275
Analysis: The Chargers might have already filled a need at edge rusher depending on whether Mack re-signs to play a 12th season in the NFL, so this pick could simply be for added depth for that day when Mack decides he’s had enough and awaits his call from the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Other options: Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong, Central Arkansas edge rusher David Walker.
Round 5 (No. 159 overall)
The pick: RB Damien Martinez, University of Miami
Measurables: 5-11, 226 pounds
Analysis: Scouts describe him as a powerful runner who “finishes with physicality.” In other words, he could fit seamlessly into Roman’s plans for next season and beyond as he and the Chargers seek to develop a solid running game.
Other options: Missouri WR Theo Wease Jr., Ohio State OL Seth McLaughlin.
Round 5 (No. 177 overall)
The pick: OL Connor Colby, Iowa
Measurables: 6-6, 310 pounds
Analysis: This is expected to be a compensatory pick, the first of several for the Chargers that won’t formally be announced by the NFL until just before the draft is held, which could change the exact order of picks following the third round. The Chargers could use it to bolster their offensive line, which looked more than a little overmatched during their wild-card loss to the Houston Texans last month.
Other options: Clemson TE Jake Briningstool.
Round 6 (No. 183 overall via New England)
The pick: CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
Measurables: 5-9, 182 pounds
Analysis: This is another need that might have already been addressed by this point in the draft. Defensive backs are like relief pitchers in baseball. You can never have too many dependable ones on your team.
Other options: Ohio State DT Ty Hamilton.
Round 6 (No. 201 overall)
The pick: DL Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon
Measurables: 6-1, 325 pounds
Analysis: The need for this position could be nonexistent if the Chargers re-sign Ford, Fox and Teair Tart, a third defensive lineman who was on a one-year contract during the 2024 season and will be a free agent next month. If not, Caldwell could get a call from Hortiz.
Other options: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke.
Round 6 (No. 215 overall)
The pick: LB Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Measurables: 6-3, 240 pounds
Analysis: At this point, the Chargers would be in search of depth picks, which is always important as they continue building toward becoming an elite team. This is expected to be another comp pick.
Other options: Michigan RB Kalel Mullings, Connecticut S Malik-Dixon Williams.
Round 7 (No. 253 overall)
The pick: Edge rusher Que Robinson, Alabama
Measurables: 6-5, 241 pounds
Analysis: A season-ending arm injury could mean Robinson drops in the draft and will be available to the Chargers as one of the final selections. This is likely to be the last of the Chargers’ comp picks.
Other options: Minnesota OL Quinn Carroll, Louisville QB Tyler Shough.