Pre-Draft Rankings Reveal Reality Check for Chargers

PFF's reasoning for doubting the Chargers primarily stems from their losses in free agency. Though they saw multiple high-quality players walk out the door, they have contingency plans in place, along with the upcoming draft.

One significant free agency loss was Joey Bosa, who was among the top pass-rushers in the league during his prime. Unfortunately, Bosa is nearing 30 and hasn’t played a full season since 2021. Letting him walk allows the Chargers to allocate money elsewhere and positions 2023 second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu for a breakout season.

Next, the loss of Kristian Fulton puts the Chargers’ secondary in a precarious position. Fulton had arguably the best season of his career in 2024 and leveraged it into a substantial payday with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers chose to let him walk, placing their trust in 2024 draft picks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still, along with free-agent addition Donte Jackson. 

Another loss was Poona Ford, one of the league's more underrated interior defensive linemen. Losing Ford is a setback, but the Chargers have attempted to fill the gap by signing some cheaper tackles to hopefully address the hole he’s leaving in the middle of their defense.

However, their true solution to this problem is filling that hole in the draft. This year’s defensive tackle class is rich with talent, and the Chargers may even want to double up at the position.

On the flip side, the Chargers' big free agency acquisition is a reason for excitement. They signed former New York Jet and Philadelphia Eagle Mekhi Becton, one of the top offensive linemen on the market.

Becton can potentially transform the Chargers’ offense by providing elite run blocking and reliable pass protection - two qualities the Chargers’ interior offensive line has lacked since Justin Herbert was drafted. 

At the end of the day, it seems the Chargers chose to rely on their coaching and player development based on their actions in free agency. They have several roster holes to fill, but a strong draft can alleviate concerns about their upcoming season.

The Chargers have reason to believe this caliber of draft is achievable, considering the quality of their draft last year. Rookies Ladd McConkey and Joe Alt were incredibly impressive in their rookie seasons, while Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart showed high-level flashes throughout the year.

Not to mention, the Chargers have arguably the most important piece for winning: an elite quarterback. Having a top talent at quarterback allows teams to rely on their player development because their baseline is much higher than that of other teams. 

Just look at what the Bills did last offseason. They let multiple key players walk in free agency, and Josh Allen still led them to the AFC Championship.

Moving away from older players on the roster is crucial for teams to achieve long-term success. When they bite the bullet and allow veterans to sign elsewhere, they can concentrate on developing younger, less expensive talent.

This is the path the Chargers have decided to take, but with a quality draft, don't be surprised if they exceed PFF's ranking.