Los Angeles

Chargers

As far as Day 3 wide receiver prospects go, Lambert-Smith intrigues. The former Auburn and Penn State receiver brings field-stretching 4.37-second Forty speed and averaged 2.70 yards per route run in his final college season. The Chargers retooled their wide receiver personnel this offseason, giving newcomers a chance to prove themselves in a shifting landscape. Lambert-Smith has a long way to go before he becomes relevant in re-draft formats, but he makes for a smart late-round dynasty add.

The 2022 first-rounder has mostly struggled at guard, leading the team to opine he could man the pivot in 2025. That was in early March, and meaningful competition wasn’t added in the draft or free agency. It means Johnson is probably getting another chance, but it is likely to be his last one in Los Angeles.

This gives the Chargers exclusive negotiating rights if he does not sign with a team by July 22 or the first 2025 NFL training camp opens, whichever comes first. The tag is mainly useful for compensatory pick reasons as Dobbins will still count towards Los Angeles’ haul in the formula if signed before then. The Chargers currently do not project to add a pick in 2026 per Over The Cap’s Nick Korte.

Popper has Tre Harris starting alongside Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey in three-wide sets, bringing up the possibility of moving KeAndre Lambert-Smith on to the field when they “need more speed.” None of this sets up especially well for Johnston, the last first-round pick of the Tom Telesco regime. He improved last year with a 55/711/8 receiving line, but he may be fighting for one of the last spots on the roster this year if everyone makes it through training camp without an injury. Harris getting early buzz as a starter is interesting too, though we expect the Chargers to run plenty of two-wide sets.

“I look at Najee and Omarion — both starters,” Harbaugh said. “He brings that same type of mentality Najee brings. Like I said last week, we’re looking for someone who complements but also offers the same,” Bolts GM Joe Hortiz added. These comments seem to paint this as more of a committee situation, at least for September. That probably makes Hampton more of a speculative mid-round pick than a sure-fire volume back, though we expect Hampton will eventually wind up seeing the majority of the volume. He is the better third-down back on paper, so long as his pass-protection credentials hold up in the translation to the NFL.

“Rocket” Sanders (6'0"/217) started his collegiate career at Arkansas and broke out as a sophomore with a 222/1,443/10 rushing line. He was also dynamic as a receiver, catching 28 balls for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sanders missed the majority of his junior season with a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. Rocket then transferred to South Carolina, where he ran for 881 yards and 11 scores on 183 attempts. Though his yards per carry never recovered to its 2022 high-water mark of 6.5, Sanders set career highs in yards after contact per carry (3.7) and yards per route run (1.5). He posted a 27/316/2 receiving line in his lone season as a Gamecock. Sanders is an instinctive runner who sees the field well and adds to his offense as a receiver. His pass-protection needs work and fumbles were an issue for him with nine total in his career. Both red flags could cost him playing time early in his career.

Bridges spent five seasons at Oregon before transferring to Florida for the 2024 season. A former three-star recruit, Bridges has played in 61 games for his career while making 24 starts. He posted a career high 70 tackles last season to go along with eight pass breakups and two interceptions. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler touts Bridge’s athleticism and ability to “reroute receivers” and believes he’ll earn “a long look in an NFL training camp,” which he’ll now receive as a member of Jim Harbaugh’s defense.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein attribute Mickens’ NFL-ready tackling, play diagnosis and instincts to his father’s likely influence. Ray Mickens spent 10 NFL seasons as a New York Jet. The younger Mickens (6’/199) possesses excellent athleticism (8.59 RAS) and should find a role on special teams, at worst. In his final, full college season, he set career highs in solo tackles (55), stops (26), TFLs (12) and forced incompletions (seven).

Taylor (6’6/321) brings two years of starting experience and a power forward’s frame to the 2025 draft class. A late bloomer with basketball roots, Taylor kicked off 2023 at right tackle before moving to the blind side and locking down left tackle duties until a knee injury cut short his 2024 campaign. His tape reveals a tone-setter with legitimate pop in the run game and hands that land heavy, especially on base blocks. Taylor posted a strong 8.49 RAS, buoyed by elite agility metrics (4.62 shuttle, 7.40 3-cone), helping him climb in space and recover on inside counters. However, his sub-33” arms and overeager sets leave him vulnerable to speed rushers who press his edge. He surrendered 6 sacks and 15 pressures in 703 pass-block snaps, and his 2023 PFF grades (64.8 OFF, 76.4 PBLK) reflect those highs and lows. Ultimately, Taylor profiles as a developmental guard with tackle experience and a tough, team-first mindset.