The NFL Draft takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 24th-26th, where the Los Angeles Chargers are set to take the next step in the Jim Harbaugh era. The Bolts have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and could use a couple more playmakers to take their team to the next level
The Chargers have one selection to make in the 1st Round with pick 22. Los Angeles finds themselves with a pick in the bottom half of the 1st Round with there surely being plenty of talent available with their pick. What the Chargers decide to do with the 22nd pick will surely set the tone for the 2025 NFL season.
Here are 3 players that the Rams should consider taking with the 22nd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, if available.
3 Can’t-Miss Options For The Los Angeles Chargers
Option 1: Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
Many NFL analysts have decided that the Chargers should select former Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with their only pick in the 1st Round. Why wouldn’t Jim Harbaugh want to reconnect with his former Michigan superstar? Colston has a ton of upside as a future NFL tight end and could be a perfect piece alongside Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense.
PFF currently has Loveland ranked as the 2nd best tight end and the 25th overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6’5”, 245-pound prospect is a natural pass catcher and can elevate any offense he is a part of. Loveland spent three seasons with Michigan, where he played two seasons under coach Jim Harbaugh. During his three-season college career, Loveland achieved 117 receptions, 1466 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. The Michigan tight end is also an impressive blocker and can help improve the running game of the Chargers. Loveland has been compared to Tyler Eifert throughout the draft process.
Despite bringing in Tyler Conklin to the squad this offseason, Coleston Loveland may be too impressive of a prospect to pass up. Even posing as a lighter tight end, Loveland has the athletic ability to be the best tight end in the 2025 Draft class. There may not be a better fit for a prospect than Loveland with the Chargers.
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Option Two: Walter Nolan, Interior Defensive Line, Ole Miss
If the Chargers are looking to expand their talent on the defensive side of the ball, Walter Nolan could easily be the best pick that GM Joe Horitz could make. Nolan offers a massive presence on the defensive line and can dominate the line of scrimmage, unlike many prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Nolan is arguably one of the most physically gifted defenders in this year’s group of prospects.
PFF currently has Nolan ranked as the 3rd-best interior lineman and the 23rd-best overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. Nolan played two seasons with Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss and playing one season with the Rebels. During his three-year college career, Nolan achieved 114 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Nolan was one of the most dominant defensive linemen last season as he was the anchor of the Ole Miss defense. Walter Nolan has been compared to Super Bowl Champion Milton Williams throughout the draft process.
With the loss of Joey Bosa in the 2025 offseason, the Chargers are in immediate need of help on the defensive line alongside Khalil Mack. Walter Nolan has some of the most impressive physicality out of any defender in this year’s draft. The former Rebel may not be a premier pass rusher, but his support in the run game is unmatched by any defensive prospect this season. The Bolts could benefit from Nolan’s presence on the defensive line and should be the guy GM Joe Horitz drafts if wanting to go defense with the 22nd pick.
Option Three: Matthew Golden, Wide Reciever, Texas
Matthew Golden is possibly my favorite receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Texas receiver has flipped the entire draft process on its head after a stellar performance at the NFL Combine a couple of months ago. While it may be a stretch to see Golden fall to pick 22, there’s no doubt in my mind that the wide receiver would be an INCREDIBLE fit alongside Ladd McConkey and the Chargers’ offense.
PFF currently has Golden ranked as the 4th best wide receiver and the 22nd-ranked overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. Golden spent two seasons with the Houston Cougars before transferring to the Texas Longhorns to play one season before declaring for the NFL Draft. During his three-year college career, Golden had 134 receptions, 1975 receiving yards, and 24 total touchdowns. Golden also comes with experience in the return game, which offers an entirely different element to his game. Matthew Golden has been compared to Stefon Diggs during the draft process.
The Chargers are in desperate need of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball to support Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert, and Golden may be the player with the highest upside out of any prospect in the Draft. The former Longhorn improved drastically last season when surrounded by a talented quarterback. The receiver has room to grow as an NFL receiver, but his potential may be the greatest of any offensive playmaker in the 2025 NFL Draft.