2025 NFL Offseason Primer: Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers

Projected Cap Space: $55.2 million

Draft Picks: 11

• 1st (No. 22)
• 2nd (No. 55)
• 3rd (No. 86)
• 4th (No. 124)
• 5th (No. 159)
• 5th (No. 177, comp)
• 6th (No. 183, NE)
• 6th (No. 201)
• 6th (No. 215, comp)
• 7th (No. 220, CLE)
• 7th (No. 253, comp)

Notable Free Agents:

• OLB Khalil Mack
• RB J.K. Dobbins
• CB Kristian Fulton
• S Elijah Molden
• DT Poona Ford
• CB Asante Samuel Jr.
• WR Josh Palmer
• DT Teair Tart
• DT Morgan Fox
• C Bradley Bozeman
• TE Stone Smartt
• TE Hayden Hurst
• S Marcus Maye
• CB Eli Apple
• P JK Scott

Top Three Needs

1 – Edge Rusher

There’s a world in which the Chargers lose both starting edge rushers this offseason, as in addition to Mack being a pending free agent, veteran OLB Joey Bosa looms as a potential cut candidate. The Chargers could bring back both if they re-sign Mack and agree to a pay cut with Bosa but between the duo’s age and Bosa’s injury history, it would not be a bad idea for the Chargers to shake things up at least a little.

The Chargers do have OLB Tuli Tuipulotu who has been impressive as a No. 3 rusher and fill-in for Bosa. Veteran OLB Bud Dupree is still under contract and a quality rotation player as well. So any move the Chargers make here would be a big swing aimed at replacing either Mack or Bosa, or both if necessary.

2 – Wide Receiver

At this point it’s becoming equally legendary how Chargers second-round WR Ladd McConkey popped off for nearly 200 yards receiving in the playoff loss to the Texans as it is that the rest of Los Angeles’ receivers combined for just 16 yards. McConkey looks like a star but the Chargers need help around him. Palmer is set for free agency and the Chargers have a chance to add someone more dynamic to the receiving corps.

They’ll leave the light on for former first-round WR Quentin Johnston, who did make clear progress from an awful rookie season even if he didn’t completely shake the issues with dropped passes. He’s under contract for two more years. However, the Chargers will at minimum bring in some competition for Johnston in addition to a new starter to replace Palmer.

3 – Cornerback

The secondary was actually a surprising strength for the Chargers last year. Los Angeles was a top-ten pass defense due to the excellent debut from DC Jesse Minter, who helped scheme up a bounceback season for S Derwin James and maximized low-cost fliers on players like Fulton, Molden and mid-round rookies like Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still. Samuel missing most of the season with an injury didn’t even register as anything more than a blip.

It feels like things have run their course between the Chargers and Samuel...