The Los Angeles Chargers went for running back Omarion Hampton in the first round rather than go for wide receiver Matthew Golden with the 22nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While Hampton certainly injects a good amount of much-needed explosivity to the offense, fans have been pounding the table for another pass catcher, as Ladd McConkey’s usage nearly put him on the injured reserve several times last season.
Now they head into the second day of the draft with pick 55, and the big question is which wide receiver they will take with that pick. Based on Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic’s analysis, the Chargers will be left with few options at wide receiver if they opt to stick with their current pick. Baumgardner has Luther Burden, Jaylin Noel, and Jayden Higgins all coming off the board well before 55. This leaves just one consensus second-round wide receiver on the board, TCU’s Jack Bech.
Trade Up Needed, If Los Angeles Chargers Want WR
Which means they would have to trade up to select one of that trio. This is also what happened last season, when opting for Joe Alt in 2024’s first round. They traded up for Ladd McConkey — a move roundly praised in light of his incredible rookie season.
Tight end could be an option at 55, but top remaining prospect Mason Taylor is expected to go well before this pick. It would at this point look like a stretch to take Elijah Arroyo or Harold Fannin Jr., but a justifiable one.
A smarter move may be to take the best available defensive lineman or cornerback with that pick. Several players are expected to be available around 55. Cornerbacks, Shavon Revel and Azareye’h Thomas, as well as edge rusher Landon Jackson and defensive tackle Darius Alexander, are expected to be on the board at this pick.
On top of losing Joey Bosa, they also lost Morgan Fox and Poona Ford, who combined to play nearly 1200 snaps last season. While more options are needed for Justin Herbert to throw to, the defensive line seems like a liability.
If they don’t opt for WR, the Chargers could also look to the post-draft free agent pool or new players that wind up on the trade market, such as George Pickens.
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