Ranking the Chargers' 5 best players under the age of 25 heading into the 2025 season
Ranking the Chargers' 5 best players under the age of 25 heading into the 2025 season
At the hands of some strong draft classes as of late, the Chargers have assembled a nice young core. General manager Joe Hortiz assembled a stellar 2024 draft class, positioning this team well for the future.
Let's rank the Chargers' five best players who are under the age of 25.
1. OT Joe Alt
This spot could have easily gone to Ladd McConkey, but Alt barely gets the nod. Without discrediting what McConkey did as a rookie, Alt's 2024 season was perhaps as impressive. The former Notre Dame product stepped into the starting lineup right away and held his own against some of the league's best pass rushers.
The sky is the limit for him after he ranked 19th amongst 140 qualifying offensive tackles in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. He has the potential to be one of the best in the league at his position, perhaps even better than his teammate Rashawn Slater. Simply put, it feels like he has a higher ceiling than McConkey.
2. WR Ladd McConkey
One could argue that McConkey was the team's most valuable player last season. The second-rounder out of Georgia was one of the best rookies in the NFL, which led to a ninth-place finish in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. McConkey led the team in catches (82), receiving yards (1,149), yards after catch (390), and first downs (52).
3. CB Tarheeb Still
The 2024 draft class already takes up the third spot on this list. Still provided a massive impact as a rookie and will be expected to take an even larger role this year. He started 12 games in 2024 and accumulated a team-high four interceptions and 10 pass deflections. Still finished seventh in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, as just two cornerbacks were ahead of him.
4. EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu took a step forward in Year 2 with Los Angeles. While he started just nine games, which were fewer than his rookie campaign, he was more effective. Tuipulotu led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (11) despite playing only 67% of the team's defensive snaps. Expect that number to jump up this year, as his improvement was a big reason for the team's decision to move on from Joey Bosa.
5. CB Cam Hart
Four of the five spots on this list come from last year's stellar draft class. Hart stepped up in the absence of Asante Samuel Jr. and contributed more than expected. The 2024 fifth-round pick played 52% of the team's defensive snaps, which included six starts. Hart had seven pass deflections and will be asked to take a step forward in 2025 with the departure of a few key cornerbacks.
Honorable Mention: RB Omarion Hampton, WR Quentin Johnston
I was very close to adding Hampton to the list, which would have been controversial given that he hasn't set foot on an NFL field yet. The 22nd overall pick has huge expectations for his future in Los Angeles. Hampton has already earned rave reviews in his short time with the Chargers, and he possesses all the tools to be a star. Johnston has been a solid secondary option for Justin Herbert, but he is not worth the first-round pick that the team used on him in 2023.
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