Eric Smith

We're two weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Chargers currently holdthe No. 22 overall pickand could go a handful of different routes in Round 1.

This is the second of a four-part series looking at potential options the Chargers have in the first round as we now focus on tight ends and wide receivers.

Why a TE or WR makes sense

It's not a secret that the Chargers could be on the lookout for more pass catchers in the draft.

That applies to both tight end and wide receiver.

The Bolts tight end room currently consists of veterans Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, each of whom were added in free agency the past two years. Tucker Fisk, McCallan Castles and Jordan Petaia (a formerAustralian rugby player) round out the roster.

And while Dissly and Conklin will each provide solid play, perhaps the Bolts want to infuse the room with young talent and draft a centerpiece for the future.

As for wide receiver, the Chargers current position group is led by Ladd McConkey, a 2024 second-round pick who thrived and set single-season rookie receptions and yards records last season.

Quentin Johnston took a noticeable step in Year 2 while Derius Davis also flashed as a wide receiver. The Bolts also reunited with Mike Williams in free agency to provide an outside presence for Justin Herbert. Jalen Reagor and Brenden Rice are also on the current roster.

But much like the Chargers did a year ago with McConkey, they could draft a wide receiver early and give Herbert another option in the passing game.

Whether it's at tight end or wide receiver, drafting a player from either position at No. 22 would provide a boost to an offense that needs more all-around playmakers.

Who could be the pick?

Let's start with tight end, a position that has drawn rave reviews from draft pundits.

And while the overall tight end group is strong, the 2025 class is headlined by a pair of stars in Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland.

Warren, the higher-ranked prospect of two, is viewed as a Top 10 player by draft experts.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Warren at No. 6 overall while ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. ranked Warren at No. 7.

Pro Football Focus tabbed Warren eighth overall while Dane Brugler of The Athletic and ESPN's Jordan Reid both put him at No. 10 on their rankings.

Warren has a big frame at 6-foot-6 and 256 pounds and was a focal point of Penn State's offense in 2024 when he recorded 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns.

Warren capped his college career in epic fashion by winning the John Mackey Award (as the nation's top tight end). He was also a Second-Team Associated Press All-American and was the Big Ten Conference Tight End of the Year.

Kiper's report on Warren said:

Warren is super versatile. He can be used as a traditional in-line tight end, at H-back, at fullback, out of the slot or lined up out wide. He's a reliable pass catcher, and once the ball is in his hands, he can break free. Warren had 700 yards after the catch this past season.

He was incredible against USC in October, hauling in 17 catches for 224 yards and a TD. It tied for the most single-game catches by a tight end in FBS history.

As for Loveland, he is Jeremiah's No. 7 overall player while Brugler and Kiper tabbed him at No. 11 overall. Reid (No. 22) and PFF (No. 25) both view him as a Top-25 player.

Loveland, of course, is familiar with Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who coached the tight end at Michigan in 2022 and 2023.

Loveland helped Michigan win a national title in 2023 when he had 45 catches for 649 yards and four scores. Overall, the tight end who is 6-6 and 248 pounds tallied 117 catches for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns in college.

Jeremiah wrote of Loveland:

Loveland is a long, lean tight end with outstanding awareness, quickness and big-play ability. He has aligned in-line, as a wing and in the slot. He's urgent in his release. He has a tremendous feel for option routes and working in space. He can cleanly get in/out of breaks and he presents a big target to the quarterback. He attacks the ball in the air and is adept at finishing in crowds. After the catch, he has a smooth stride and possesses a nasty stiff-arm. He has some wiggle to make defenders miss, as well. His lack of bulk impacts his ability to stay connected as a run blocker, though. Overall, Loveland is equipped to make a lot of catches as a starting tight end in his rookie campaign.

In terms of wide receiver, Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan is generally viewed as the top receiver prospect (not including Colorado's Travis Hunter).

PFF has McMillan as their No. 3 overall player while he is No. 7 on Brugler's board. Reid ranked him 15th while Jeremiah (No. 18) and Kiper (No. 20) had him in the same range.

McMillan is 6-4 and 219 pounds and ranked third in the FBS with 1,319 receiving yards in 2024. He also hauled in 84 catches and eight touchdowns on the way to First-Team Associated Press All-American honors and a First-Team All-Big 12 selection.

PFF wrote of McMillan:

McMillan has All-Pro potential because of his length, athleticism and football intelligence. He's a smooth criminal of a receiver who was the focal point of Arizona's offense. He is a unique talent who deserves to be considered in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Egbuka, who is 6-1 and 202 pounds, spent the past four seasons starring at Ohio State.

He is viewed as a first-round prospect by nearly every pundit, with Jeremiah ranking him 17th overall and Kiper slotting him at No. 18. PFF was one spot behind them at No. 19.

Brugler tabbed him at No. 24 while Reid ranked him as the No. 27 player in the entire draft class.

Egbuka racked up 205 catches for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns during his Buckeyes career. A team captain at Ohio State, Egbuka also set the school record for career receptions.

Jeremiah wrote of Egbuka:

Egbuka is a strong, physical receiver with the ability to play inside or outside. He's quick in his release, and he can fight his way through press coverage. He is more of a one-speed route runner, but he's very comfortable working in traffic. He attacks the ball in the air in the middle of the field. On vertical routes, he tracks the ball well and has a knack for utilizing late hands to prevent defenders from playing the pocket and poking the ball away. He has a great feel for working in zones and adjusting his route if the play is prolonged.

Matthew Golden spent the 2024 season at Texas after transferring from Houston. He is listed at 5-11 and 191 pounds.

Kiper has Golden as his No. 15 overall player while Jeremiah ranked him at No. 16. PFF (No. 22), Reid (No. 25) and Brugler (No. 27) all had him in roughly a similar range.

Golden wowed at the 2025 NFL Combine with a time of 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He led the Longhorns in 2024 with 987 receiving yards on 58 receptions with nine scores.

Kiper wrote of Golden:

Golden first caught my eye when he was still at Houston, where he caught 13 touchdowns over two seasons. He joined the Longhorns before this past season and quickly emerged as the go-to target for Quinn Ewers. He's a terrific route runner who is smooth getting in and out of his breaks, and he has reliable hands. Golden is a big-play receiver too. He averaged over 20 yards per reception in nine different games last season. And with his 4.29 speed, he can beat just about anyone in a foot race.

Luther Burden III, who is 6-0 and 206 pounds, starred at Missouri the past three seasons.

PFF ranked Burden at No. 14 overall in the 2025 draft class while Brugler had him at No. 20. Reid (No. 30) and Jeremiah (No. 33) also had him in a similar range.

Burden racked up 192 career receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns with the Tigers. He earned First-Team All-SEC honors twice in his career.

Brugler wrote of Burden:

Because of his run-after-catch skills, Burden saw a high-volume of quick hitters and crossers, which showcased his any-direction burst and physicality to give defenders the shake.

How would this impact 2025 and beyond?

The Chargers vision is to constantly surround Herbert with top-tier talent whether that's along the offensive line or with skill players.

Herbert and McConkey showed they can be a dynamic duo in 2024, but adding another dazzling young pass catcher could potentially do wonders for the Bolts offense going forward.

A tight end could work the middle of the field and free up McConkey to keep doing damage in the slot. And a wide receiver, especially one with an outside presence, could work in tandem with McConkey to create a formidable receiving duo.

The Chargers offense was decent enough through the air in 2024, but adding another weapon could mean Herbert and Co. can get to another level in the years to come.