After a slow march through the past two weeks of free agency, the Los Angeles Chargers are up to 63 rostered players.
Between re-signings and external additions, general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh have addressed every position group in some capacity. The Chargers spread the wealth around the roster in free agency, which now sets up a fascinating scenario as the focus shifts to the draft.
The Chargers still have holes to fill. But they are not necessarily pigeonholed into drafting a certain position in the first round, or in any round. This will allow Hortiz to take something close to a best-player-available approach in the draft.
The Chargers have the 22nd pick in the first round and the 55th overall in the second. As it stands, I think seven positions are on the table for those two picks (in no particular order): receiver, edge rusher, tight end, interior offensive line, interior defensive line, running back and cornerback.
With those seven positions in mind, here are 50 prospects who would make sense for the Chargers in the first two rounds — both in terms of fit and who would actually be available.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Chargers cut Gus Edwards, and J.K. Dobbins remains un-signed. Those were their top two rushers from 2024. Free-agent signing Najee Harris gives the Chargers a durable and reliable workhorse back. Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson are the other rostered backs. I think a young, explosive back to pair with Harris would give offensive coordinator Greg Roman a much-improved group to work with this season. I can’t see the Chargers passing on Jeanty if he is there. But he could be off the board.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
One of the glaring missing elements in the Chargers’ receiver room last season was a true X option who could play on the outside, beat press coverage and attack down the field in contested-catch situations. They had signed DJ Chark to fill that role, but he got injured in training camp and became a non-factor. Free-agent acquisition Mike Williams fits the mold of what the Chargers need, but they should still be looking for an X-type for a number of reasons — a long-term plan at the position, insurance for the oft-injured Williams, overall depth. McMillan has the size at 6-foot-5 and was a prolific 50-50 ball winner for the Wildcats in 2024.
Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Re-signing Khalil Mack was crucial for the Chargers this offseason. But they did cut Joey Bosa, who went on to sign with the Buffalo Bills. The Chargers have an up-and-coming talent in Tuli Tuipulotu, and he is positioned for a jump in production with increased playing time. Bud Dupree is a fine rotational piece. He turned 32 in February. I think the Chargers should be looking to get younger at the position. They have a fourth spot open. It is a strong edge rusher class. Taking one in the first round is a viable approach. As The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler notes, Williams battled an ankle injury throughout most of 2024, and his production waned. But he has exceptional length at 6-foot-5 with 34 3/8-inch arms.
Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
If the Chargers go with an edge rusher in the first round, I think they can afford to bet on traits over production. Stewart never had more than 1 1/2 sacks in a season for the Aggies, but as Brugler writes, he led the defense in pressures with 39 in 2024. Stewart also tested off the charts at the combine at 6-5, 267 pounds. He ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash among defensive ends. He had the second-highest vertical leap at 40 inches. And he led the position in the broad jump.
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Chargers gave themselves some flexibility by signing veteran Tyler Conklin over the weekend. They bring back Will Dissly, Tucker Fisk and McCallan Castles. I still think they need to invest in a young piece in this room to be a long-term, ascending security blanket for quarterback Justin Herbert. Warren has tremendous size at nearly 6-foot-6 and 256 pounds. He would be a bona fide weapon over the middle of the field for Herbert in contested areas.
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland played for Harbaugh for two seasons in 2022 and 2023. He is not the same blocker as Warren, but the Chargers already have a plus run blocker on the roster in Dissly, and I thought Fisk showed some functionality in that role, too, last season. What they are lacking is a dynamic seam-stretcher, and Loveland can be that player for Herbert if he falls to 22. Brugler writes that Loveland has “the most upside of any pass catcher in this draft class.”
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Another prospect who played for Harbaugh for two seasons in 2022 and 2023. Johnson had his two best collegiate seasons playing in coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme. Johnson fell off slightly in 2024 after Harbaugh and Minter left for the Chargers. Most concerning: Johnson had a 20.8 percent missed tackle rate, according to Pro Football Focus. But he has the size-speed combo Minter is looking for at the position, along with some proven production in the system. The Chargers bring back Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. They also signed Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson. All four of those players will be in the mix at outside cornerback, which is Johnson’s position. But I would not rule out a cornerback in the first round.
Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
The Chargers still have two offensive line positions to figure out before Week 1 in September: left guard and center. They brought back Bradley Bozeman, who played over 1,000 snaps at center for the Chargers in 2024. They signed James, who started 59 games at center for the Las Vegas Raiders over the past four seasons. The Chargers also still plan on experimenting with Zion Johnson at center. Johnson started at left guard for Harbaugh and Roman last season. Booker was a left guard at Alabama. He did not test well at the combine, and maybe that means he is available at 22. But his size and play strength should be appealing. Consider a starting offensive line of: left tackle Rashawn Slater, left guard Booker, right guard Becton, right tackle Joe Alt and whoever wins out in a center battle between Bozeman, James and Johnson. I like that potential setup heading into training camp.
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
After Poona Ford walked in free agency to sign with the Los Angeles Rams, the Chargers pieced together the interior of their defensive line over the ensuing two weeks. They re-signed Teair Tart. They added free agents Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones. The Chargers are still missing a real difference-maker in this group. They could find that player in the first two rounds of what is a really solid defensive tackle draft. Brugler writes that “there wasn’t a more disruptive interior defensive lineman in college football this season” than Harmon, who, according to Pro Football Focus, had 55 pressures in 2024 after transferring to Oregon from Michigan State.
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Hampton is a more realistic option than Jeanty at 22 if the Chargers prioritize finding the second running back to pair with Harris. Hampton had 2,033 scrimmage yards for the Tar Heels in 2024.
James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Egbuka might be more of a fit as a slot receiver in the NFL, and the Chargers will be relying on Ladd McConkey to take on a bulk of the slot work, as he did as a rookie in 2024. Still, Egbuka did play a tangible amount on the outside for the Buckeyes, and he finished first in school history in receptions (205) and second in receiving yards (2,868).
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
One more Wolverines connection. Grant is a run-stuffer, and the Chargers will need to replace the stability Ford provided at nose tackle against the run. Ideally, though, a first-round defensive tackle would provide more pass-rush upside.
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden led all receivers with a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine, and he is intriguing because the Chargers need more speed in the receiver room. He can win in contested-catch situations, but I worry about whether he can fit on the outside in the NFL after he measured in under 6-foot.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
I love Taylor as a fit for that security-blanket tight end. He had a 1.8 percent drop rate on 79 targets in 2024, according to PFF. The only problem is his value might fall somewhere between the Chargers’ first- and second-round picks. Taking him at 22 might be too high. Taylor might not be there at 55. Would the Chargers consider trading up in the second round to address this need at tight end?
Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
The Chargers seem to have created enough competition at center between Bozeman, James and Johnson. But I would not be surprised if they continue attacking the interior offensive line early in this draft. Zabel is the consensus top center in the draft. He is also a potential fit at left guard. Zabel was a left tackle in college.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Minter will always be on the hunt for versatile defensive backs, and Barron is one of the most versatile defensive backs in this draft. He played in the slot, on the outside and in the box for Texas last season. The more versatility the Chargers have at defensive back, the more they can utilize Derwin James Jr. in different roles.
Jahdae Barron could compete all over the secondary and ensure Derwin James Jr. can be utilized in different roles. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Alfred Collins, DT, Texans
Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
The second round has felt like a sweet spot for the Chargers to go after an outside receiver, and Higgins is at the top of my list in that specific range. He has solid size at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. He graded out well against man coverage, and he had a nearly 60 percent success rate on contested catches, according to PFF.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
If the Chargers wait until the second round on running back, Henderson is a prospect I am keeping my eye on. Harris is the tough, workhorse type. Ideally for the Chargers, they would pair Harris with an explosive back. And Henderson is explosive. His 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine was tied for seventh among running backs. Henderson averaged nearly seven yards per carry in 2024 for the Buckeyes.
Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona
Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Shemar Turner, IDL, Texas A&M
Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
Jordan James, RB, Oregon
Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan
Stewart led the Wolverines with a 27.7 percent pass rush win rate, according to PFF. He transferred to Michigan in 2023 and had one year with Harbaugh and Minter in the national title season. He is undersized at 6-foot-1 with arms shorter than 32 inches. But as Brugler writes, Stewart “has the talent to be more than a designated pass rusher in the NFL.”
Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue
Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
At 6-3, 210 pounds, Harris is another fit in the X role for the Chargers. He played 370 of his 425 snaps on the outside in 2024 and had a 61.5 percent contested-catch rate, according to PFF. His 15 drops are a bit of concern. The Chargers looked past Quentin Johnston’s 13 career drops at TCU and took him in the first round. Johnston’s drop problems persisted in the NFL. Something to consider with Harris, who is nonetheless an interesting fit.
Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Ratledge is a 6-6, 320-pound people-mover. He is also a “self-described ‘dirtbag,’” according to Brugler. Ratledge played primarily right guard at Georgia, but I like his edge, and the Chargers simply need to add talent to the interior of their offensive line.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Ashton Gillotte, Edge, Louisville
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Fannin led FBS tight ends in receiving yards (1,555), receptions (117) and receiving touchdowns (10) in 2024, and he had some of his best games against upper-level competition. For example, he had 11 catches for 137 yards against Penn State. He is undersized at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, and he is not a plus blocker. But the Chargers need some receiving playmaking at tight end, and Fannin can provide that.
(Top photo of Omarion Hampton: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
