The Los Angeles Chargers and their new regime orchestrated a masterful year-one turnaround. Despite an embarrassing ouster from the 2024 playoffs, their six-win bump is a sign that they are now on the right track.
A big reason for that turnaround was the 2024 rookie class. According to Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, their draft was the 6th best based on wins above replacement.
- Round 1, Pick 5: T Joe Alt (Notre Dame)
- Round 2, Pick 34: WR Ladd McConkey (Georgia)
- Round 3, Pick 69: LB Junior Colson (Michigan)
- Round 4, Pick 105: DL Justin Eboigbe (Alabama)
- Round 5, Pick 137: CB Tarheeb Still (Maryland)
- Round 5, Pick 140: CB Cam Hart (Notre Dame)
- Round 6, Pick 181: RB Kimani Vidal (Troy)
- Round 7, Pick 225: WR Brenden Rice (USC)
PFF lays out a lengthy explanation of what WAR is exactly, here.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
- Snaps Played: 4,149
- PFF WAR: 1.18
“In his first crack at a Chargers draft, general manager Joe Hortiz was incredible in both the early and late rounds,” wrote Locker. “First-round selection Joe Alt (75.9 overall PFF grade) ranked third among qualified rookie offensive linemen in PFF overall grade, while second-round receiver Ladd McConkey (85.0 PFF receiving grade) ended with the 12th-best mark among receivers with 50 or more targets. Even fifth-round cornerback Tarheeb Still was impressive with a 74.8 PFF coverage grade and four interceptions. Los Angeles’ class could rise in future rankings if linebacker Junior Colson gets an opportunity to start.”
The Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Philadelphia Eagles had better-rated draft classes, while San Francisco’s .87 rating put the 49ers in seventh place.
The biggest question is whether or not the Chargers can replicate their success in the upcoming draft. The team currently has 10 picks, two more than last season, but they don’t have the luxury of picking in the top five again — which netted them Alt.
Here are the 2025 Chargers Draft Picks:
- 1st round (No. 22 overall)
- 2nd round (No. 55)
- 3rd round (No. 86)
- 4th round (No. 125 overall)
- 5th round (No. 158 overall)
- 6th round (No. 181 overall from New England)*
- 6th round (No. 199 overall)
- 6th round (No. 209 overall – compensatory pick)
- 6th round (No. 214 overall – compensatory pick)
- 7th round (No. 256 overall – compensatory pick)
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Chargers YouTube Channel