Chargers final mock draft: Options open in 1st round
One of the biggest takeaways from Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz’s session with reporters last week was that he believed he had plenty of options going into the NFL draft Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He can afford to be selective, given his free-agent success.
Will he take a tight end with his first-round pick, giving quarterback Justin Herbert another playmaker to target? Or perhaps an offensive or defensive lineman to strengthen the Chargers in the trenches? Or maybe someone else at another position no one in the pundit-sphere has predicted.
Here’s a final look at how the Chargers’ draft might unfold, with assists from Pro Football Focus, Pro Football Network, The Athletic, NFL Mock Draft Database and plenty of good old-fashioned guesswork in order to keep the conversation lively heading into each of their 10 selections:
Round 1 (No. 22 overall)
The pick: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 331 pounds
Analysis: The defensive line became a position of need after Poona Ford signed a three-year contract with the Rams and Morgan Fox signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, two significant losses for the Chargers during free agency. Grant played for Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh when both were at Michigan. Grant would give the Chargers depth at a key position.
Other options: Alabama OL Tyler Booker, Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka, North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton, Ole Miss DL Walter Nolan, Ohio State Edge Jack Sawyer, Texas A&M Edge Shemar Stewart, Georgia Edge Mykel Williams, Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams.
Round 2 (No. 55 overall)
The pick: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 202 pounds
Analysis: Henderson might address the need for a running back to play behind or with free-agent signee Najee Harris as the Chargers attempt to bolster their ground game. Henderson topped 1,000 yards rushing last season. He could give the Chargers a potentially explosive boost in the backfield.
Other options: Miami TE Elijah Arroyo, Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr., Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson, LSU TE Mason Taylor, Ole Miss Edge Princely Umanmielen, North Dakota State OL Gray Zabel.
Round 3 (No. 86 overall)
The pick: WR Tory Horton, Colorado State
Measurables: 6-foot-2½, 196 pounds
Analysis: Hortiz said last week this draft class is a deep one for wide receivers. The Chargers would do well to find another one or two in order to bolster their receiving corps beyond veteran Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey, who had a breakout rookie season, and Quentin Johnston, who rebounded from a rocky rookie season. Horton was sidelined by a knee injury and sat out the second half of 2024.
Other options: Umanmielen, Fannin, Illinois WR Pat Bryant, Oregon WR Tez Johnson, Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles, Utah State WR Jalen Royals, Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo.
Round 4 (125th overall)
The pick: WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 191 pounds
Analysis: Two receivers in a row? It could happen as the Chargers continue their search for additional targets for Herbert. McConkey, who broke Keenan Allen’s franchise rookie records for receptions and receiving yards last season, could use more backup for 2025 and beyond. Lane led the Hokies with 38 catches last season.
Other options: UT San Antonio CB Zah Frazier, Louisville Edge Ashton Gillotte, Central Florida RB RJ Harvey, Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten, Central Arkansas Edge David Walker.
Round 5 (No. 158 overall)
The pick: CB O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
Analysis: The Chargers were thin at cornerback after Asante Samuel Jr. suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Two fifth-round draft picks, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, became starters. Can the Chargers strike gold again in the fifth round?
Other options: Georgia Edge Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Nebraska CB Tommi Hill, Miami RB Damien Martinez, Texas Tech OL Caleb Rogers, Missouri WR Theo Wease Jr.
Round 6 (No. 181 overall, from New England)
The pick: C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 304 pounds
Analysis: Hortiz might have already picked an offensive lineman by this point in the draft, but McLaughlin still could be a late-round gem if he’s still available for the Chargers. McLaughlin was the Rimington Award winner as the top collegiate center in his final season with the Buckeyes.
Other options: Alabama DL Tim Smith, Western Kentucky CB Upton Stout.
Round 6 (199th overall)
The pick: DL Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 291 pounds
Analysis: Actually, Mills could be the Chargers’ selection with the first of their four sixth-round picks rather than McLaughlin, but either way it’s likely they’ll be looking to load up with the big kids as the draft continues with extra picks in the late rounds.
Other options: Smith, Oregon DL Jamaree Caldwell, Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke.
Round 6 (209th overall, compensatory)
The pick: OL Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 270 pounds
Analysis: Scouts say Lampkin is fast and athletic, but he’s also said to be undersized, which is why he could be available for the Chargers with this late pick. Scouts also say he has NFL-level talent whether he’s picked in the draft or signs in the weeks or months to come as an undrafted free agent. He didn’t give up a sack during the 2024 season, with only nine QB pressures.
Other options: Florida DL Cam Jackson, Minnesota LB Cody Lindenberg.
Round 6 (214th overall, compensatory)
The pick: RB Anthony Watkins, Tulsa
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 202 pounds
Analysis: Watkins could give the Chargers additional depth at running back with the added bonus that he is known as an excellent blocker. He didn’t top 500 yards rushing last season after gaining nearly 1,000 in the 2023 season.
Other options: Minnesota OL Quinn Carroll, Alabama Edge Que Robinson.
Round 7 (256th overall, compensatory)
The pick: S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 213 pounds
Analysis: He won’t be Mr. Irrelevant because he’s only the second-to-last pick in the draft. There’s one more after him with the Kansas City Chiefs picking 257th and last. Hortiz loves comp picks and he’ll get one more here.
Other options: Minnesota OL Quinn Carroll, Southern Arkansas CB Melvin Smith Jr.