The Los Angeles Chargers added some offensive line depth with their first pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The team drafted Pitt offensive tackle Branson Taylor with the 199th overall pick.
A sixth round pick is an upside pick with limited risk. Taylor will come in as a depth option, potentially working his way into a swing tackle opportunity. The grades that have started to come in reflect that. We’re not going to see As for these picks, but we generally shouldn’t see Fs. In this case, USA Today likes Taylor’s talent while CBS Sports isn’t big on him.
Taylor has solid size at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds with an 82 1/4-inch wingspan that bodes well at the NFL level, as does his foot speed and hand usage. He needs to develop his technique a bit more to reach his potential. He won’t be under pressure to do so with the Chargers. He’ll be a good depth piece and potential starter at guard long-term.
Los Angeles probably views Taylor as a potential cheap swing tackle, but there is some stiffness to his game. He will lean on defenders in the run game and create displacement.
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Poll
How would you grade the Chargers pick of Branson Taylor?