The Chargers picked up nine rookies in the 2025 NFL draft, led by first-round pick Omarion Hampton from North Carolina. With OTAs and minicamp under their belts, how do those rookies figure to fit into LA’s plans this season?

Let’s take a look at each rookie’s potential impact this season, ranked from highest to lowest.

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RB Omarion Hampton

Hampton is likely to get a decent amount of carries from the outset of his rookie season, even with Najee Harris joining him atop the depth chart. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman are well-known for their desire to run the ball, and drafting a running back in the first round all but ensures that he’ll have a big role early on. With Harris only on a one-year deal, the Chargers may be willing to give Hampton the 1A title sooner rather than later if he performs well.

WR Tre Harris

Similarly to Hampton, second-round pick Harris has a veteran currently occupying his role on a one-year deal. For Harris, that’s the returning Mike Williams at X, who will likely start early this season due to his rapport with Justin Herbert. But Harris has plenty of opportunity to contribute right away, even if he’s WR4 behind Williams, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston, and early showings could easily push him past Williams into the starting trio.

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TE Oronde Gadsden II

Gadsden has been the talk of minicamp this offseason, showing up to the facility at 5:30 am to get some extra work in and displaying a willingness as a blocker that the Chargers staff were pleasantly surprised to see. Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin are decent receiving options, but Gadsden clears the two of them as a converted wide receiver. If his blocking is up to par, he could quickly become an important part of LA’s offense.

DT Jamaree Caldwell

The Chargers’ third-round pick, Caldwell, is expected to rotate with Teair Tart at the nose tackle position as the Chargers try to replace the impact of Poona Ford from last season. Caldwell will get plenty of opportunity to replicate that production, but the more rotational nature of the defensive line knocks him down a couple of spots on these impact rankings.

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WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Lambert-Smith is the Chargers’ most obvious deep-threat option on the roster at this juncture. It is likely to be the sixth receiver to make LA’s 53-man roster next to Williams, McConkey, Johnston, Harris, and return specialist Derius Davis. None of those players, save maybe Johnston if he can establish more consistency, have the same downfield juice as Lambert-Smith.

EDGE Kyle Kennard

Kennard will primarily play on special teams, health permitting, as he’s behind Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Bud Dupree on the depth chart. The Chargers will likely give Kennard a few reps as a designated pass rusher on third downs, however, which could provide some additional impact.

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S RJ Mickens

Similarly to Kennard, Mickens will likely produce mainly on special teams as the fourth safety behind Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, and Elijah Molden. Mickens does have some competition for that spot with Tony Jefferson back in the building as well.

OL Branson Taylor

If Taylor plays as a rookie, something has likely gone wrong for the Chargers. He profiles as the team’s fourth or fifth option at guard behind Mekhi Becton, Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson, and Jamaree Salyer. At the same time, he develops on the inside after playing primarily at tackle in college.

DB Trikweze Bridges

Bridges has the longest path to the 53-man roster of any rookie, as he is either the seventh corner or fifth or sixth safety, depending on where the Chargers believe his best fit long-term is. Either way, Los Angeles would either need to keep eleven defensive backs, cut a surprise member of the roster, or suffer a season-ending injury in the secondary for Bridges to find a role.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: How much impact will the Chargers rookies make in 2025?