The Chargers rookies are on their way.
With rookie minicamp set to kick off on Friday at The Bolt, members of the nine-man Chargers draft class will soon hit the field for the first time.
The class continues to be lauded from top to bottom as the haul was one of Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema's 10 favorite classes of the draft, as he gave the team an 'A grade.'
Sikkema noted that the Bolts not only got more offensive firepower for quarterback Justin Herbert, but they also added defensive value, too.
Sikkema wrote:
Not only did the Chargers nail their top needs, but they did so with good value.
[Omarion] Hampton was picked in an appropriate range and has the potential to be a three-down back. His 1,450 rushing yards between the tackles since 2022 were the most in the FBS. [Tre] Harris and [KeAndre] Lambert-Smith are both the exact type of receiver the Chargers need — one who wins vertically to stretch the field, maximize Herbert's arm talent and open up the short and intermediate game. [Jamaree] Caldwell is the kind of nose tackle they needed after losing Poona Ford, and [Kyle] Kennard in the fourth round is a value pick at a position that really needed depth and long-term security.
There was one pick in particular, however, that Sikkema loved above all.
When looking at each team’s favorite picks Sikkema identified second-rounder Tre Harris as his top selection the Bolts made, as it gave the offense the pass catcher they needed.
Sikkema wrote:
Harris was the exact type of wide receiver the Chargers needed, bringing an elite PFF receiving grade on deep throws and a 61.5 [percent] contested catch rate. As a deep threat down the sideline, he can stretch the defense and maximize Justin Herbert's arm strength while opening things up underneath for Ladd McConkey.
It was an offensive heavy class as Hampton and Harris figure to be key members of the future for Herbert and Co.
But there's also another name that some are keeping an eye on in the later rounds.
The Athletic's NFL beat reporters picked the biggest value pick and potential draft steal worth watching for each team.
And for the Chargers, The Athletic's Daniel Popper is keeping an eye out on fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden II, the dynamic pass catching tight end who could develop into a big part of the offense.
Popper wrote:
The Chargers have a great blocking tight end in Will Dissly. They added a seasoned and reliable possession receiver in tight end Tyler Conklin. What they were lacking was a vertical element, a tight end who could threaten defenses down the seam. Gadsden has the potential to be that type of player. There were better options earlier in the draft with players such as Colston Loveland, Elijah Arroyo and Terrance Ferguson. Instead, the Chargers took advantage of a deep group and found a capable skill set on Day 3.
