The Chargers exceeded expectations in 12 months 1 of the Jim Harbaugh period by successful 11 video games and making the postseason. Sadly, the yr’s sizable momentum was halted abruptly within the group’s loss to the Houston Texans within the Wild Card spherical that was highlighted by a disturbing lack of pass-catcher manufacturing surrounding Justin Herbert.
As soon as once more, Herbert was requested to play hero ball to solely be let down repeatedly. A run recreation would have helped to doubtlessly end the group’s early drives ultimately zone as an alternative of settling for a pair of discipline targets. As soon as the Texans acquired rolling within the second quarter, it was all she wrote. These small moments — whether or not ending and seizing momentum for your self or giving it away — all the time add up ultimately.
I might go on and on (I’m the Chargers man right here at SB Nation in any case) however I’ll save everybody the monologue. Primarily based on how the board fell by the primary 21 picks, I’ve determined the Chargers are going to run with one of the best participant obtainable at No. 22 and, in my humble opinion, that’s North Carolina working again Omarion Hampton.
22.) Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Evaluation: The Chargers handed out a whole lot of low-risk signings this free company interval in an try and flesh out the roster and doubtlessly fill their notable holes with common gamers they really feel could possibly be coached and finally outplay their contract. This occurred in 2024 with guys like defensive sort out Poona Ford, cornerback Kristian Fulton, and security Elijah Molden. All three performed so nicely for the Bolts that every earned a a lot bigger contract for the 2025 season, with the Bolts or elsewhere.
Normal supervisor Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh have set themselves as much as take one of the best participant obtainable at No. 22. There’s not one huge gap on the roster that calls for to have a first-round decide used on it, and that’s an ideal place to be in relating to any draft. The very best groups let the board fall to them.
On this mock, the Chargers sadly will miss out on the highest defensive tackles and tight ends. Each nonetheless stay across the prime of their wants checklist. Since that’s the case, the Chargers default to leaning into the Harbaugh fashion of soccer by selecting one of the best remaining working again on the board in Hampton.
I’m conscious this decide could appear redundant, however the Chargers aren’t going to wish to put your complete run recreation on Najee Harris’ shoulders. Whereas he’s been nothing however sturdy in 4 professional seasons, the Harbaugh jumps on the probability to seize a prototypical working again with an elite mix of measurement (221 kilos), velocity (4.46 40 time), and athleticism (38” vertical, 10’10” broad soar). Hampton will match proper into the Chargers’ energy run scheme the place his one-cut, downhill-slashing working fashion will flourish.
With the addition of proper guard Mehki Becton and heart Andre James in free company, the Chargers are going to wish to run, run, run the soccer they usually desire a steady of backs able to making their plan come to life.
Prime 5 remaining gamers:
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston Faculty
- Magic, WR, Ohio State
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Coming into the twenty third decide, it’s shocking to nonetheless see Kelvin Banks Jr. on the board as he’s a consensus top-three offensive sort out within the class and often these gamers in Tier 1 of that place are passed by now. With the Packers up subsequent, it’s not going Banks is the decide however I might not be shocked to see one among our prime remaining defensive entrance seven gamers go as Inexperienced Bay is actually in want of reinforcing their trenches.
