The Los Angeles Chargers find themselves in an interesting spot heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. With a roster that does not have any extreme holes, they have really set themselves up through free agency to achieve the Ravens process; draft the best player available.
That said though, there are definitely positions on the roster that are weaker than others and should be prioritized more. In this specific Chargrs mock draft, the Bolts go all in the moniker “Defense wins championships.”
2025 Chargers Mock Draft: Defense Gets A Major Boost
Round 1, Pick 22: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan – Familiar Face For The Chargers Defense
With the Chargers first selection, they get a familiar face in arguably their weakest position group. Kenneth Grant out of Michigan brings massive size and athletic upside to a room that is in desperate need of a long-term piece.
With re-signee Teair Tart, former fourth-round pick, Justin Eboigbe, and pass rusher Naquan Jones likely leading the way in the defensive line room, expect Grant to instantly come in and start as the nose tackle who can bring immense value to a defense he knows so well. If Grant can hit his ceiling, he can be a top-five level player at the position, giving the Chargers the interior defensive line playmaker they have not had since Jamal Williams in the early 2000s.
Former Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston, who is now coaching with the Chargers had this to say about Grant: “He’s just scratching the surface. I love the way he studies the game. He’s going to be absolutely phenomenal.”
Don't forget about Kenneth Grant! pic.twitter.com/ZBXt3dr8kX
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) March 26, 2025
Round 2, Pick 55: EDGE Jared Ivey, Ole Miss – More Depth on the Chargers Defense, The Better
Continuing the theme of the defensive line getting an upgrade, this Chargers mock draft has them selecting the Ole Miss EDGE, Jared Ivey. The new Chargers EDGE rusher easily adds plenty to this empty defensive line, filling in room by way of playing multiple positions. Ivey can play both on the interior & on the edge, however, his best fit will be on the EDGE.
The 6’6 285 versatile defensive lineman played nearly 400 snaps on the EDGE whilst showing his versatility lining up in the B-Gap 55 times. His size and length allow him to be quite physically imposing and a day-one contributor in this Chargers defense.
If Ivey can help Khalil Mack stay fresh this season and then take over next year as the starter, this would be another home-run selection for General Manager, Joe Hortiz.
Former Ole Miss EDGE Jared Ivey (#15) is one of the highest floor defensive lineman in the class. Future starter who has rush upside condensing down. Just a good, good football player. pic.twitter.com/5xFGOvfHL9
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) March 9, 2025
Round 3, Pick 86: TE, Terrance Ferguson, Oregon – Predicting A Year Two Breakout
The 2024 Chargers offense was quite underwhelming while the defense completely overperformed, so the philosophy thus far of bolstering your strengths and neglecting your weaknesses may raise some eyebrows. To calm the nerves of fans, the Chargers go offense in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL draft.
The first offensive selection for the 2025 Chargers mock draft is the athletic Tight End, Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon. Ferguson has been a long-time contributor for the Ducks, increasing his production each year with the program.
With the signing of Tyler Conklin, this would disallow for Ferguson to really contribute early barring injury especially since Ferguson is not the run blocker that projected TE2, Will Dissly is. However, Ferguson’s positive traits of ball production and strides as a run blocker allow for him to come in as the Chargers TE3 who will easily come and become the first option in year two.
Terrance Ferguson is a Top-5 TE in this class for me, with a Day 2 grade.
Great frame with very nice athleticism, he can play in multiple alignments, a very willing and talented blocker, and has very nice production within the passing game.pic.twitter.com/czGXtp8IUT
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) March 4, 2025
Round 4, Pick 125: WR, Tory Horton, Colorado State – Too Late to Get a Receiver in This Chargers Mock Draft?
Continuing the theme of offense in the Chargers mock draft, they add to the barren receiver room with Tory Horton out of Colorado State. Horton has been on scout’s radar for some time now and seems to have allowed for prospect fatigue to happen, thus his being drafted early on day three. Horton is much better than the average day-three receiver, likely falling a bit since he is coming off a season-ending injury and is a fifth-year senior.
Even with the injury, Horton came to the 2025 NFL Combine and showed he could be a vertical threat on top of his route-running prowess. The 4.41 40-yard dash was the cherry on top of Horton’s film which featured plenty of nuance, veteran receiver-like traits.
Whether it was blocking in the run game, strong hands at the catch point, or his competitiveness, expect the 6’2 Horton to easily come into this weak Chargers receiver room and contribute on day one. He is a friendly receiver for Justin Herbert who will not disallow other receivers like Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston to move out of position and hinder their production. A great value selection in this Chargers mock draft.
Tory Horton. Pro rep.
Hand swiping in stem, subtle stab late, stack CB. Lovely. This dude knows how to play WR.
Oh yea.. vs CB Will Johnson 1on1 pic.twitter.com/L5trt7y8nN
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 21, 2025
Round 5, Pick 158: RB, Trevor Etienne, Georgia – A Camp Battle For RB2
Yes, Trevor Etienne is the brother of Travis Etienne. The Chargers will be taking a chance on the little brother of the former first-round pick, allowing him to make a name for himself as a fifth-round pick.
Etienne brings great receiving ability that can make people miss in space. He has a low volume of carries which is both a negative and positive. At 20 years old he has already shown such ability on little in-game carries, but with such few carries there are plenty of traits for him to improve upon.
An opportunity will be available for Etienne as he will be fighting with last year’s sixth-round selection, Kimani Vidal for the RB2 spot behind Najee Harris, barring a reunion. Even if he were to lose the battle on the depth chart, he can bring special teams value and receiving ability to the offense.
#UGA RB Trevor Etienne. 5’9, 198.
4.42 speed. Excellent lateral cutting ability. Receiving bonus out of the backfield. Solid blocker in pass game.
Could be a great option for the Eagles w/ the departure of Kenny Gainwell. pic.twitter.com/mK1JkACPIV
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) March 12, 2025
Round 6, Pick 181: DT, Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina – Morgan Fox Replacement?
With one of the best names of the class, Tonka Hemingway out of South Carolina can definitely bring some juice to this defensive line. In a deep interior defensive line class, Hemingway is going under the radar, likely due to his older age of 23 and size.
Hemingway is a tweener who is 6’3 288 and plays the majority of his snaps in the B-gap. The value he can bring the same type of play the Chargers had in Morgan Fox.
Even as the second interior defensive line has taken the chance he will see playing time is quite high. As mentioned before, this Chargers defensive line is insanely thin and needs more players who are able to produce and stay long-term. If Hemingway can develop into even a Fox level of player, that would be a major success for the sixth-round pick.
Tonka Hemingway with a sweet spin move to sack Milroe pic.twitter.com/YQKDpDATTg
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 13, 2025
Round 6, Pick 199: QB, Brady Cook, Missouri – Let Brady Cook (As a Backup)
This Chargers mock draft has them taking their backup Quarterback of the future: Brady Cook out of Missouri. Cook is going under the radar in a bad Quarterback class and brings good tools for a backup due to his general athletic ability and strong arm to push the ball down the field.
At 6’2 215, Cook will immediately compete with the newly re-signed Taylor Heinicke for the backup job, but the odds are likely not in his favor. Even as the QB3 in 2025, the point of drafting Cook is to see him develop into a long-term backup behind Herbert, doing so on a cheap contract.
BRADY COOK TO LUTHER BURDEN FOR A TOUCHDOWN ON 4TH AND 5 TO TAKE A LEAD LATE IN THE 4TH! 😱
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) November 17, 2024
Round 6, Pick 209: TE/WR Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse – Positional Versatility Continues… On Offense
With the Chargers third sixth-round selection, they take a chance on a major project, Oronde Gadsden II out of Syracuse. The athletic monster has played both Wide Receiver and Tight End for two years each during his collegiate career, posting 900-yard seasons at both spots showing his immense versatility on offense.
At 6’5 243 he brings adequate size for a receiving Tight End, but can easily slim down and move to an “X” receiver role where he can possibly develop into a real contributor. Either way, Gadsden II brings receiving ability for this offense and would automatically replace what the Chargers lost in Stone Smartt.
Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II reached a top speed of 19.23 mph on the Gauntlet Drill, the fastest mark by a TE over the last two years.
You can find tracking data like this and more at Combine IQ available on https://t.co/wmARINPXmI.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 1, 2025
Round 6, Pick 214: OT, Hollin Pierce, Rutgers – A Mountain Of a Man
Continuing the theme of projects in this Chargers mock draft, Hollin Pierce 0ut of Rutgers has completely turned himself into an elite athlete. He first signed with Rutgers as a walk-on in 2020, weighing over 400 pounds, and after one year of red-shirting, he turned himself into a four-year starter playing both left and right tackle.
Now at 6’8 340 with 36-inch arms, he brings the perfect profile for a Greg Roman offense as a guy who can maul defenders off the ball. Unfortunately, Pierce is still a project as a lack of speed and body control can lead to losses in the passing game.
If the Chargers can get him to be a swing tackle of the future for the next five or so years, this would allow for more contract flexibility at other positions due to the rookie contract scale Pierce would be on.
#Rutgers LT Hollin Pierce has unreal potential
36" arms, tons of power, and unbelievable tools to work with
A coach's dream pic.twitter.com/A532VYePkb
— Hail Mary Sports (@hailmarysportss) March 2, 2025
Round 7, Pick 255: EDGE, Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State – A Potential Special Teams Ace?
The last selection of this Chargers mock draft is EDGE Collin Oliver out of Oklahoma State. He brings an intriguing profile to the team, which would allow him to have a niche role off the bat.
If Oliver wants to make this final 53-man roster he would need to continue being a strong special teams player while enhancing his pass rush moves, since he is still learning the position after transitioning to off-ball linebacker quite recently.
Collin Oliver – Oklahoma State – 6020-240e #SeniorBowl
Undersized NFL DE w/ solid est. arm length. Good athlete w/ good get off & bend. +Speed rush techniques w/ solid strength as secondary. 13 pressures in two games pre-injury. Exp. as off-ball backer, versatile positionally. pic.twitter.com/NfIhenCYU4
— Justin Apodaca (@JustinApod) January 12, 2025
Main Image: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
