“There was no mystery about what the Los Angeles Chargers offense needed at the end of last season. As much as head coach Jim Harbaugh raved about quarterback Justin Herbert, there simply weren’t enough weapons on that side of the ball to consistently scare defenses, wrote Jeff Chadiha of NFL.com about the team’s biggest needs heading into the NFL draft.
But according to ESPN insider Jordan Reid, the Chargers are likely to go in a wholly different direction come draft day.
Insider Expects Los Angeles Chargers To Add 2 Defensive Linemen in 2025 Draft
“The trenches have always been an emphasis for Chargers GM Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh, and sources expect this draft to be no different. “Knowing Joe and his days with the Ravens, they were always strong up the middle, so I think they’ll go best available defensive line,” said a highly ranked NFC executive. Defensive tackles Kenneth Grant (Michigan) and Tyleik Williams (Ohio State) could be in play for them in Round 1 or Round 2, respectively. Both are consistent run defenders who fit what the Chargers want.
The reality is that the Chargers face a notable challenge on their interior defensive line heading into the 2025 season following the departures of Morgan Fox and Poona Ford in free agency.
Recognizing this void, the team has taken steps to address the need by re-signing Teair Tart, who is coming off his most productive season in 2024, and by adding free agents Naquan Jones and Da’Shawn Hand to the roster.
However, given the importance of a strong interior defensive line in disrupting opposing offenses and the inherent uncertainties of relying solely on returning and newly acquired players, it would be a prudent strategy for the Chargers to further bolster this unit by adding both competition and depth through a high-caliber player in the early rounds of the upcoming draft.
Scouting on Grant and Williams
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Dane Brugler of the Athletic ranks Grant as his third-best defensive lineman and 25th best prospect in the 2025 NFL draft class, writing, “A dominant run presence, Grant is a powerful boulder who can execute two-gap techniques or stack single blocks and work down the line with quickness. He looks to fire off the ball, although his tall pads will negate his leverage and lower-body strength, diminishing his bull rush and limiting the ways in which he can impact the quarterback. Overall, Grant plays big in a big man’s game, but he also has the athletic traits and effort to grow into more than just a stout run stopper. He projects as an early-down NFL starter with a three-down upside.”
For Williams, who is 5th and 56th for Brugler, he writes, “Williams needs further development as a pass rusher, but he is one of the best run-defending linemen in the draft class because of his recognition skills and disciplined execution at deconstructing blocks. He has the type of skill set that will be appreciated by NFL coaches.”