The first year of the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles was a success, as the Chargers finished 11-6 before bowing out of the playoffs with a timid loss in Houston. Harbaugh has brought quick success to everywhere he’s been, and the expectation is no different ahead of year two in Hollywood.

Armed with a ton of salary cap space, the 22nd pick in the first round, and seven picks in total, the L.A. Chargers are primed to further load a roster that is ready to push the dominant Chiefs in the AFC West.

Before such a task, they need to hit on their high value draft picks. Check out the 2025 NFL Draft outlook for the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of April’s draft.

Los Angeles Chargers Needs & Draft Strategy

The Los Angeles Chargers have already checked two of the most crucial boxes in team building, with quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh filling two of the most important places in a franchise. The Bolts do, however, have pressing needs at premium spots on both sides of the ball. Expect them to try to address those with aggression.

After Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer failed to develop into reliable, ever-down wide receivers, the Chargers need to find a bona fide number one at the position.

Johnston’s counting stats seem encouraging, with 55 catches, 711 yards, and eight touchdowns, but he was both inefficient (91 targets) and outright damaging with his drops. Palmer, meanwhile, figures as little more than a solid number four wideout after a 39 catch, 584 yard season.

While Ladd McConkey had a great rookie season, finishing with 82 catches, 1,149 yards, and seven touchdowns, he projects as a high quality number two receiver. Finding the 1A to his 1B will take the offense to another level.

In Greg Roman’s run heavy offense, so too will a quality running back. JK Dobbins enjoyed an admirable year as the Comeback Player of the Year, but injuries remain a huge concern with the former Buckeye.

With 905 yards and nine touchdowns on decent efficiency, Dobbins figures to be a good depth player – but shuffling himself and Gus Edwards, who averaged just 3.6 yards per carry last year, would improve the offense as a whole.

On the other side of the ball, Los Angeles sees a need at a premium position with its lack of edge rushers. Tuli Tuipolotu had a highly encouraging rookie year, leading the team with 8.5 sacks and 17 QB hits. Behind him, however, are almost entirely question marks.

Khalil Mack is headed into his age 34 season and free agency after seemingly hitting a wall with a mediocre six sack 2024 season. Bud Dupree equaled Mack’s sack total but is on the wrong side of 30 and entering free agency, too. Finally, the Chargers’ Joey Bosa experience is likely over, with the former third overall pick a likely cut candidate after a five sack season.

The Chargers, who finished 2024 ranked 26th in pressure rate, need to find an impactful pass rusher as they retool the position group.

Potential Los Angeles Chargers Draft Picks 2025

The L.A. Chargers are likely to be out of range to get the draft’s top receiver in Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. That’s okay, though, with a host of prospects behind McMillan likely to be available in the 20s and ready to make an impact.

Prospects like Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden, Tre Harris, and Pat Bryant would fit right into a perimeter role for the Chargers — while TCU’s Savion Williams might be avoided after the Quentin Johnston experience. Crucially, any of those players would enable Ladd McConkey to continue to operate over the middle of the field.

Like McMillan at receiver, the Bolts will almost surely be out of range to get the prize at running back in Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. But, like at wide receiver, a trio of consolation prizes awaits, and any of the three would fit Greg Roman’s every down zone run needs.

North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton could sneak into the end of the first round or the early parts of day two. Otherwise, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson and Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins both have the size and scheme reliability to fit right in and make an immediate impact. All three would benefit from rotation with JK Dobbins, too.

With Tuli Tuipolotu in place, entering his second year, the Bolts’ urgency on the edge is lessened.

As they look at the second and third tiers of pass rushers, they see that size and pedigree are aplenty on day two. Arkansas’ Landon Jackson, Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau, South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard, and LSU’s Bradyn Swinson would draw interest on the Friday of draft weekend after L.A.’s offensive needs are addressed.