2025 Draft Guide: Los Angeles Chargers

Coaching History: Last Three Years

Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (LAC ’24, N/A ’22-23)
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Roman (LAC ’24, BAL ’22-23)
2024 Record: 11-6

Team Summary

Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman bring a run-first style to the west coast. Last year didn’t show as much evidence, as they were left with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Edwards was clearly dust, and Dobbins was returning from a torn Achilles. Dobbins performed admirably, but the team didn’t have enough options to run the ball as much as the coaching staff likely would have wanted.

Instead, enter Ladd McConkey. The rookie out of Georgia stepped in and immediately took hold of the lead receiving role. Running primarily as the slot (running only 71 routes in 2WR sets), McConkey put up a YPRR of 2.57 (WR8, minimum 200 routes). Unfortunately, the only other significant passing game contributions were from inconsistent Quentin Johnston and veteran Josh Palmer, who manned the outside in 2WR sets.

Harbaugh and Roman seem to recognize some of the shortcomings from 2024, as they drafted RB Omarion Hampton in the 1st Round, and added a receiving TE, Oronde Gadsden II in the 5th Round. They also signed Najee Harris in Free Agency to provide a veteran presence in the backfield. While many are jumping onto the Hampton bandwagon, it should be noted that over the past 3 seasons, the highest percentage of Non-QB rushes concentrated to a single player is only 50%. Expect this backfield to be more a split than fantasy managers would prefer.

2024 Ranks (2023 Rank)

• Points: 11th (21st)
• Yards: 20th (18th)
• Passing Attempts: 28th (3rd)
• Passing Yards: 19th (13th)
• Passing TDs: 13th (16th)
• Rushing Attempts: 11th (24th)
• Rushing Yards: 17th (25th)
• Rushing TDs: 11th (20th)

2024 Positional Market Share

J.K. Dobbins recorded a 2:1 rushing advantage over Gus Edwards. However, it became clear early in the season that Gus Edwards was on his last legs as an NFL RB. Expect this split to be more even after the Chargers brought in Najee Harris and drafted Omarion Hampton, both of whom should see significant work this year.

Ladd McConkey led the team in target share, despite playing primarily in 3WR sets. The Chargers then drafted Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith to help fill the hole at X WR, and they recently signed Keenan Allen to provide a familiar and reliable presence to fill the Z WR role. McConkey should once again lead the team in targets, but his upside will depend on whether he finds a way to get onto the field in 2WR sets.

Depth Chart:

• QB: Justin Herbert, Trey Lance
• RB: Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Kimani Vidal
• WR: Ladd McConkey (Slot), Tre’ Harris (X), Keenan Allen (Z), Quentin Johnston (Z), KeAndre Lambert-Smith (X)
• TE: Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II

Player Breakdowns

Herbert is one of the top QBs in the NFL and would be a lock as a first-round pick in any Madden-style fantasy draft to build a real NFL team. However, he is in a run heavy system with Harbaugh and Roman running the offense, so his passing volume is limited, despite his immense talent. The Chargers will again project to be towards the bottom of the NFL in passing attempts, so Herbert shouldn’t be considered until later in drafts.

Omarion Hampton was one of two RBs selected in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. He should immediately become the most dangerous option in a run-heavy scheme. However, he will have to compete for carries with veteran Najee Harris. Of the two, Hampton is the much more exciting pick, and he offers infinitely more big-play ability, as Harris has yet to record a 40+ yard run. Hampton should control the pass-catching work out of the backfield, and will be in the mix for carries, but it would be surprising to see him take on a workhorse role as a rookie.

Najee Harris is one of the most boring picks you can make in 2025 Fantasy Football drafts. No one will “ooh” or “ahh” when you make the selection, but the RB has recorded at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons. He’ll have a decent shot to extend that streak in Los Angeles, as he should be the primary between-the-tackles and short yardage option. If Harris had been healthy during training camp, he likely would be labeled a priority target, but an eye injury that has left him rehabbing and on the PUP list adds just enough uncertainty to keep him off the list.

Ladd McConkey stepped into the Chargers’ WR room and immediately took charge. While he ran 76.67% of his routes out of “11” personnel, expect his role to expand in Year 2. McConkey was WR10 in YPRR (2.57; minimum 100 routes). As he plays more in 2WR sets, he should generate even more opportunities that could take his production to the next level. His WR11 ADP seems fair, given his efficiency offsetting the negative offensive environment.

Allen re-signed with the Chargers after spending a year in Chicago. He will provide some much-needed stability as the Z WR, although he’ll block the production of former first-round pick Quentin Johnston. Don’t get fooled into Allen’s name and expecting to get production from his prime with the Chargers, he only posted a 1.52 YPRR last year, and he is only getting older.

If you’re desperate for a TE, Dissly should be the pick if you are dead set on a Chargers’ TE. While Oronde Gadsden II is earning the hype as the exciting new rookie, preseason usage suggests that Dissly is locked in as the starter. However, it is unclear whether that is an every-down role or if there will be a rotation based on formations. Given that Dissly is the only one of the three TEs that could still receive an every-down role (Conklin and Gadsden were rotating during preseason), he should be the first off the board from the group.

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