NFL Draft Grades - Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers' 2025 Draft Selections

2024 Pick 5. (R:1 P:5) - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Grade: C+
So much for that J.C. Latham nonsense. The Chargers are drafting the best player available, but there are three reasons to dislike this pick. First, no trade was made, but that's not a huge deal. Second, the Chargers are passing on the top receivers despite having nothing at receiver. And third, the Chargers a picking a player to play right tackle who has zero experience playing right tackle. This selection could still pan out, but it's hard to like very much.

2024 Pick 34. (R:2 P:2) - Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Grade: B+
The Chargers finally get a receiver, as Ladd McConkey seems like a decent replacement for Keenan Allen. I like McConkey in this range, but I wonder why the Chargers had to surrender a fourth-round pick to make it happen with so many quality receivers available. Update: The compensation was a fourth- and fifth-round swap, so I like this better.

2024 Pick 69. (R:3 P:5) - Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Grade: A+
Jim Harbaugh gets his man. Junior Colson is a player I had slotted earlier in the second round, so getting Colson in the third frame is a steal. Colson also fills a need for the Chargers, who have had issues at linebacker for a very long time.

2024 Pick 105. (R:4 P:5) - Justin Eboigbe, DT, Alabama
Grade: B+
The Chargers needed to add help to their defensive line, as I had them drafting Kris Jenkins in the second round. They finally address the need with someone who could have gone in the third frame. Justin Eboigbe is limited athletically, but he's a rock-solid player.

2024 Pick 110. (R:4 P:10) - Javon Baker, WR, Central Florida
Grade: B
I can't hate on any pick that gives Drake Maye a weapon. Javon Baker is probably best served as a fifth-rounder, but I can buy him in the fourth. New England has nothing at receiver, so adding another one without reaching is a solid move.

2024 Pick 137. (R:5 P:2) - Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
Grade: D
We didn't have Tarheeb Still ranked. I saw him in the seventh round of some mocks. In other words, this is a reach, but we're in the fifth round, so something like this isn't worthy of a Millen grade - but it's close.

2024 Pick 140. (R:5 P:5) - Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Grade: A+
The Chargers reached for a cornerback a couple of picks earlier, but they're getting a major steal with this selection. Cam Hart was a second-day prospect, so it's shocking that he fell to the fifth frame. It wouldn't be surprising if Hart ends up becoming a good starter for the Chargers in the near future.

2024 Pick 181. (R:6 P:5) - Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
Grade: B+
The Chargers finally get a running back. Kimani Vidal is a quick runner who was projected as a fifth-rounder who could maybe sneak into the fourth. This is a solid value that fills a need.

2024 Pick 225. (R:7 P:5) - Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Grade: A+
I don't understand why Brenden Rice fell so far. I thought he could have gone in the third or fourth round. This is a major steal for the Chargers, who really needed to find more talent at receiver.

2024 Pick 253. (R:7 P:33) - Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan
Grade: A-
Another steal late in the seventh round. Cornelius Johnson is a big (6-2, 212) receiver who could be a nice end zone threat. He wasn't super productive at Michigan, but Jim Harbaugh ran the ball a lot, so I don't really blame Johnson for the lesser production.

Past Grades and Selections

2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2024 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2023 Pick 21. (R:1 P:21) - Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU A- The Chargers, like the Seahawks, have two talented receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to stay healthy, and Allen is nearing the end of his tenure with the team. The Chargers had to find another weapon for Justin Herbert, and Johnson has drawn comparisons to Julio Jones from some around the NFL.

2023 Pick 54. (R:2 P:23) - Tuli Tuipulotu, DE, USC A Tuli Tuipulotu is an explosive player who could have gone earlier than this. The Chargers already have two stud edge rushers, but you can never have enough players to rush the passer, especially in the AFC. Besides, Khalil Mack won't be around for very long, so Tuipulotu will start a couple of seasons.

2023 Pick 85. (R:3 P:22) - Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State A The Chargers have had issues at linebacker for years, but perhaps they've finally solved that problem. Daiyan Henley has great sideline-to-sideline speed, and I thought he could easily be chosen in the second round. I love this value.

2023 Pick 125. (R:4 P:23) - Derius Davis, WR, TCU
B The Chargers apparently were big fans of the TCU receiving corps. Derius Davis is extremely fast and should be used in the slot at the next level. The Chargers needed to revamp the receiving corps, so this pick makes sense.

2023 Pick 156. (R:5 P:21) - Jordan McFadden, G, Clemson
A- I had Jordan McFadden in the fourth round, so I like this value. The need also makes sense, as the Chargers had to find better interior line depth. Jordan McFadden played tackle at Clemson, but will probably have to move inside due to athleticism limitations.

2023 Pick 200. (R:6 P:23) - Scott Matlock, DT, Boise State
C The Chargers needed help at defensive tackle, but that's not anything new. Scott Matlock has some upside as a pass rusher, but he's going to get pushed around in run support. I didn't have him in any of my mocks.

2023 Pick 239. (R:7 P:22) - Max Duggan, QB, TCU A Max Duggan is another prospect who easily could have gone much earlier than this. Max Duggan has no elite traits, but he's an accurate quarterback who can scramble. He has good potential to be a career No. 2 quarterback.

2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2022 Pick 17. (R:1 P:17) - Zion Johnson, G, Boston College C- Grade
I like Zion Johnson more than Kenyon Green, but I'm not a fan of this pick. The Chargers had a much bigger need at tackle, and Trevor Penning was available. Jermaine Johnson would've been an excellent pick as well. This selection has little value and doesn't fill the biggest need. Not good.

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2022 Pick 79. (R:3 P:15) - J.T. Woods, S, Baylor
D Grade
I expected better from Tom Telesco in the third round. I had J.T. Woods as a fifth-round prospect. He doesn't fill much of a need either. I get adding secondary help because of all the great quarterbacks in the division, but edge rush or cornerback would've made much more sense, especially if that prospect happened to belong in the third-round range!

2022 Pick 123. (R:4 P:18) - Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M A- Grade
I didn't think running back was atop the Chargers' needs list, but I can't blame them for not passing on a talented running back like Isaiah Spiller. I thought Spiller should've been chosen a round earlier, so I love this value San Angeles is getting with someone who will provide good insurance for Austin Ekeler.

2022 Pick 160. (R:5 P:17) - Otito Ogbonnia, NT, UCLA
A- Grade
People thought the Chargers would select a monstrous nose tackle to help them improve their woeful run defense earlier than this, but better late than never. Otito Ogbonnia is a solid value in this range, and he projects to fill a big need.

2022 Pick 195. (R:6 P:16) - Jamaree Salyer, G, Georgia A Grade
What took Jamaree Salyer so long to come off the board? I had him in the third- or fourth-round range. He played tackle at Georgia, but will have to move to guard in the NFL. Still, Salyer could have some versatility, and he provides great value for the Chargers.

2022 Pick 215. (R:6 P:36) - Lecitus Smith, G, Virginia Tech
B+ Grade
I mocked Lecitus Smith to the Cardinals at No. 201, so I like the fit. It's a nice touch of value, and this pick potentially fills a need. Arizona needed as many blockers as possible to make sure Kyler Murray lasts a full season for once.

2022 Pick 237. (R:7 P:16) - Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State
A Grade
Chase Lucas was in the second round of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft once upon a time. He doesn't have big upside, but he was a productive player at Arizona State, and I thought he would be chosen in the fifth frame. This seems like a good value at a position of need.

2022 Pick 255. (R:7 P:34) - Trenton Gill, P, N.C. State
B Grade
Though punters are demonic abominations, they are worth picking in the seventh round as opposed to the fourth frame. I'm fine with this selection, though it's not very exciting.

2022 Pick 256. (R:7 P:35) - Jesse Luketa, LB, Penn State
A Grade
This is another great value pick in the seventh round. I had Jesse Luketa pegged in the fifth frame. He potentially fills a need as well, given that Chandler Jones departed this offseason.

2022 Pick 260. (R:7 P:39) - Zander Horvath, FB, Purdue
B Grade
I'm not opposed to the Chargers closing out their draft class with a fullback with the antepenultimate pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Austin Ekeler and the rest of the backs will be happy about this.

2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2021 Pick 13. (R:1 P:13) - Rashawn Slater, G, Northwestern A- Grade
I'm all for improving the offensive line, especially when the quarterback is very young. The Chargers did a good job of this earlier in the offseason, but they weren't done. They needed a left tackle, and Rashawn Slater seems like a great fit. The one concern teams had with Slater is his lacking length. Some teams believed he would have to play guard or center. That said, plenty of successful tackles have had Slater's issue, so I'm in the camp that he can succeed at the position.

2021 Pick 47. (R:2 P:15) - Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State C Grade
The Chargers lost Casey Hayward this offseason, so they had to replace him. However, I think this is a bit high for Asante Samuel Jr. He's short and slow, which is not a good combination for an NFL cornerback. I think this is a bit early for him, but I don't hate the pick.

2021 Pick 77. (R:3 P:13) - Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee
D Grade
Not a fan. The Chargers are making a reach here with Josh Palmer, who I had pegged in the fifth or sixth round. Palmer is a big receiver, but I'm not sure if he'll be able to separate from NFL cornerbacks.

2021 Pick 97. (R:3 P:33) - Tre' McKitty, TE, Georgia A- Grade
I mocked Tre McKitty to the Chargers in this spot, so I think this pick makes so much sense. The Chargers lost Hunter Henry in free agency, and McKitty projects as a dynamic pass-catcher once he gains some experience. McKitty needs to get stronger, but the upside is certainly there.

2021 Pick 118. (R:4 P:13) - Chris Rumph, , Duke
C Grade
The Chargers lost Melvin Ingram, so it's not a surprise that they obtained a pass rusher. Rumph is undersized, however, so I thought he would go later on Day 3. I like getting a player who can get after Patrick Mahomes, but the value isn't there.

2021 Pick 159. (R:5 P:15) - Brenden Jaimes, OT, Nebraska
C Grade
Brenden Jaimes is a good athlete for a tackle, but the problem is that he's a tweener. He's not lengthy enough to be a tackle, and he doesn't seem to be strong enough to be a guard. I'm not sure where he fits in with the Chargers.

2021 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2021 Pick 198. (R:6 P:14) - Larry Rountree, RB, Missouri A- Grade
Take note, Steelers and Jaguars: A team that needed a running back waited until the sixth round to acquire one. The Chargers had to find a complement for Austin Ekeler, and Larry Rountree is a nice value pick as someone who could have been chosen a round earlier.

2021 Pick 241. (R:7 P:13) - Mark Webb, CB, Georgia
B Grade
Mark Webb has nice size and ball skills, but there are some major speed concerns. Those weren't answered by his 4.61 40-yard dash. Still, it makes sense to take him in the seventh round in case those issues don't end up being a big deal.

2020 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2020 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2019 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2019 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2018 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2018 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2017 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2017 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2016 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2016 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2015 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2015 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD

2014 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2014 Los Angeles Chargers - Prospect:TBD