This offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers have been linked to just about every signable, tradable, or draftable pass catcher. This largely stems from the egg the team laid on offense against the Houston Texans in the AFC playoffs earlier this year. While that game put the team’s lack of explosive playmaking on the national radar, it was a problem for much of the year, especially when JK Dobbins was out due to injury.
When it comes to the draft, many analysts stick the team with Michigan tight end Colston Loveland or Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, Pro Football Focus is looking in another direction — Ohio State’s WR Emeka Egbuka.
“Egbuka is a proven winner, with three years of production and a national title to his name. Jim Harbaugh saw him up close while at Michigan and could now look to pair him with Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. Much like Ladd McConkey, Egbuka consistently finds space and produced a 95th-percentile separation rate over the last three seasons.”
Emeka Egbuka Named Best Fit For Los Angeles Chargers
Egbuka consistently demonstrated productivity and versatility. In 2022, he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, ranking ninth in the FBS with 1,151 receiving yards (74 receptions, 15.6 yards per reception, 10 receiving touchdowns). He was also a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) and started all 13 games, contributing in various roles (1-25-25.0 KR; 11-75-6.8 PR; 11-87-7.9, 2 TDs rushing).
In 2023, he received third-team All-Big Ten recognition, playing in 10 games with 9 starts (41-515-12.6, 4 TDs receiving; 5-25-5.0 rushing; 7-23-3.3 PR), missing three games due to an ankle injury.
As a team captain in 2024, he again earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, leading the team with 81 receptions (1,011 yards, 12.5 per, 10 TDs). He set a school record with 205 career receptions and played in all 16 games with 15 starts for the national champions (8-33-4.1 rushing; 1-16-16.0 KR).
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Egbuka as the 4th best wide receiver and 28th best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, writing, “Egbuka is a very quarterback-friendly target — not because he is bigger, stronger or faster than defenders, but because he understands detailed subtleties to uncover and command the catch point. Though he can line up outside, he would thrive in a Rashee Rice-like slot role, where he can expand a play-calling menu with his diverse skill set.”
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Chargers YouTube Channel