By many measures, the Los Angeles Chargers had a successful season in 2024. The team won 11 games and earned a playoff berth in Jim Harbuagh’s first season at the helm.
However, the team had work to do entering this offseason if they hope to continue competing with the Kansas City Chiefs and other AFC juggernauts. In free agency, the team added several key players such as running back Najee Harris and cornerback Donte Jackson.
Now, the team will be looking to ace the 2025 NFL Draft. The team is currently slated to have the No. 22 pick, and there are several directions the team could go in the first round.
Today, we’re going to identify the three prospects who make the most sense for the Chargers in the first round.
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Colston Loveland has been the most popular mock draft pick for the Chargers. It makes sense, as the tight end is familiar with Harbaugh from Michigan and would fill one of the team’s biggest needs.
Loveland is a dynamic pass-catching threat who can contribute as a traditional in-line tight end or in the slot. Loveland is fast enough to create separation but sturdy enough to withstand tacklers and gain yards after the catch.
In 2024, Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns. That was an impressive stat line considering Michigan’s anemic pass attack.
In Los Angeles, Loveland could immediately start at tight end and give Justin Herbert another elite pass-catching option.
Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The Michigan-to-Los Angeles pipeline stays alive, as Kenneth Grant also makes a ton of sense as a Charger.
Like Loveland, Grant played under Harbaugh in Ann Arbor and could immediately step in as a starter in Los Angeles. Grant is a massive, space-eating defensive lineman who dominated smaller blockers in college and had no problem getting in the backfield.
In 2024, Grant collected 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks. The defensive lineman earned an elite 83.7 Pro Football Focus grade and was credited with a whopping 23 quarterback hurries.
In Los Angeles, Grant could start at nose tackle and give the team a true difference-maker on the defensive interior.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Do the Chargers really want to rely on Quentin Johnston and Mike Williams to start in 2025? Probably not, so taking a wide receiver early makes sense.
Emeka Egbuka is a polished route-runner who creates separation and has sure hands. The receiver was a key part of the 2024 Ohio State that won the national title and had a high-powered offense.
In 2024, Egbuka caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. The receiver surpassed 1,000 yards in two of his four collegiate seasons and could be one of the best pass-catchers in this class.
In Los Angeles, Egbuka could start on the outside next to Ladd McConkey, who excelled out of the slot in 2024 as a rookie.
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