There's no question the Chargers rookies made their presence felt in their first year.
A year after the first draft class of Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and the front office made a sizable impact on the team, this year's group did it again as they were instrumental in a second consecutive 11-win season.
Seven of their draft picks last April saw a role throughout the year, with second-round pick Tre’ Harris, third-round pick Jamaree Caldwell and fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden playing at least 15 of 17 regular-season games.
They were one of the most effective classes in the league.
ESPN's Aaron Schatz dove into every team's rookie class and ranked them based on impact during the 2025 season.
The Chargers rookie draft class finished at No. 8 overall — and third in AFC — as the first-year offensive playmakers spearheaded the class during the season.
Schatz wrote:
The Chargers' rookie impact came primarily from skill players on offense, led by fifth-round tight end Oronde Gadsden. He ended the season with 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns. First-round running back Omarion Hampton missed games because of a fractured ankle but ended up with 124 carries for 545 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. Second-round wide receiver Tre' Harris was less productive than expected but had 30 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown.
Los Angeles rallies behind the Bolts, lighting up the city ahead of the Sunday, Jan. 11 Wild Card matchup against the New England Patriots.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
The ferris wheel is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, CA.
Grand Park is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Grand Park is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Grand Park is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Intuit Dome is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
The Forum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
Intuit Dome is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
Intuit Dome is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
Intuit Dome is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
The Forum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
The Forum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.
The Coliseum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Coliseum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Coliseum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Grand Park is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Grand Park is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Grand Park is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
US Bank Tower is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
US Bank Tower is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Union Station is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Union Station is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Union Station is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Union Station is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
US Bank Tower is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Petersen Automotive Museum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Petersen Automotive Museum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Petersen Automotive Museum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Petersen Automotive Museum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Petersen Automotive Museum is lit up for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Fans gather at The Bolt for the Fan Rally + Drone Show on Friday January 9th, 2025
Fans gather at The Bolt for the Fan Rally + Drone Show on Friday January 9th, 2025
Fans gather at The Bolt for the Fan Rally + Drone Show on Friday January 9th, 2025
Fans gather at The Bolt for the Fan Rally + Drone Show on Friday January 9th, 2025
Hampton, Harris and Gadsden were all major contributors throughout the year, as was fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who played on special teams and came on late in the season.
The defensive drafted players such as Caldwell and safety R.J. Mickens also turned out to be big factors for the depth of their respective groups.
Schatz wrote:
On defense, the most impactful rookie was sixth-round safety RJ Mickens. He started five games and had 29 combined tackles with two interceptions as part of a three-safety package with Derwin James Jr. and Elijah Molden. Third-round defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell had five starts and 31 combined tackles with a forced fumble.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh. The Chargers currently hold the No. 22 overall pick.
