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USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
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.


USA Today
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Check it out: Behind the scenes from Chargers media day
Check it out: Behind the scenes from Chargers media day With the Chargers' offseason program nearing an end, the team showcased the players' looks at Media Day, providing pictures and videos for use in upcoming promotional materials. With some of the best uniforms in the NFL, Los Angeles highlighted a handful of notable players, including Ladd McConkey and Rashawn Slater, among others. Check it out.


Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Buy Los Angeles Chargers Tickets: 2025-26 NFL Regular Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NFL schedule for the upcoming season was released on Wednesday, and fans can purchase tickets now to secure their seats at the best games during the 2025-26 season. NFL Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after a play during the fourth quarter in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after a play during the fourth quarter in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Atlanta, schedule for the 2025-26 NFL season was officially released on Wednesday, May 14th, at 8 p.m. ET, and now is the time of year when fans frantically check their calendars to see which games they can attend. The Los Angeles Chargers have some fantastic matchups on the docket for this upcoming season. On top of playing each of their divisional rivals twice as usual, there are many great out-of-division and out-of-conference games lined up. BUY: Los Angeles Chargers Tickets for the 2025-26 Season No league in the United States is more popular than the National Football League, making the schedule release an extremely exciting day for the sports world. After months of anticipation, the wait is finally over. Wednesday also officially marks the day that non-season ticket holders can start to get tickets to the games they want to see in person. There is no better experience than spending the day at your favorite team's stadium or even hitting the road to watch the squad play in one of the many iconic away stadiums across the league. NFL Ladd McConkey #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on... Ladd McConkey #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. MoreNFL tickets are a hot commodity, especially this time of the year. Make sure to claim yours now before the best seats are gone or the prices rise as the hype surrounding certain matchups heightens. The early bird gets the worm, and you do not want to be late to the party. Vivid Seats Promo Code Use promo code NEWSWEEK20 to get $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200 or more (before taxes and fees). Offer valid for new customers only. BUY: Los Angeles Chargers Tickets for the 2025-26 Season If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: How high should you draft Ladd McConkey in 2025?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) If you're prepping for your fantasy football draft this year, you've probably started hearing a lot of buzz around Ladd McConkey coming off his excellent rookie season. On the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski couldn't contain their excitement for McConkey's outlook with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 — and for good reason. But the burning question is: Where should you draft him? Subscribe to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. McConkey's rookie tape and underlying numbers turned plenty of heads, but it's not just about his skills — as both Harmon and Pianowski highlighted, it's about the perfect combination of talent, opportunity and team context. Pianowski didn't mince words: "Ladd McConkey is a great second-round pick. Anywhere you can get him. I'm going to have Ladd McConkey shares. If I overpay for them, I don't care. He's going to catch 115 passes this year. You're going to regret [missing out]. It's going to pain you. If you were between McConkey and somebody else and you took somebody else, you're going to regret that. Please get this guy this year." We're talking must-draft territory. There are a few core reasons McConkey stands out: High-Volume Role: Even as a rookie, McConkey wasn't just a starter, but quickly became the go-to guy in a shallow receiving corps. The Chargers handed the reins to McConkey to the tune of 112 targets and that total should only go up in his sophomore season. Team Situation: As discussed on the podcast, Justin Herbert is healthy and poised for a big year. The Chargers' offensive line has questions, but their high pass rate down the stretch last season was a positive sign for target volume. Player on the rise: Pianowski's praise included advocating for McConkey over A.J. Brown in some formats:"If you come down to A.J. brown versus Ladd McConkey. I want you to take Ladd McConkey every time. So I'm [planting] my flag, there it is." Rookie Precedent: Harmon compared McConkey's Reception Perception data to the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Michael Thomas and Tyreek Hill as rookies. That's elite company. No player comes without question marks. McConkey's raw numbers in college were held back by Georgia's conservative offense, but both analysts are confident that was a product of his environment, not a lack of ability. With the Chargers, there's little established competition for targets — and with Herbert as his quarterback, everything is lining up. Pianowski was adamant McConkey should be a second-round pick in full-PPR leagues, even calling him a 'no-brainer' over established stars if you're on the fence. If general consensus and ADP puts McConkey closer to the third round, do not hesitate. Take him in the late second or early third; you'll beat the rush and snag a true difference-maker with top-10 potential. He projects as the clear top target for his team and could return low-end fantasy WR1 production. If you're drafting in half-PPR, he's still a firm Round 3 pick based on projected volume and role. In standard scoring, bump him to later in the third round or early fourth as touchdowns are less of his profile, but the floor remains high. Pianowski said it best: "Please get this guy this year." So don't be afraid to reach for McConkey — trust the tape, the role and the hype. When your league mates are cursing themselves midseason for passing him up, you'll be glad you listened.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: How high should you draft Ladd McConkey in 2025?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) If you're prepping for your fantasy football draft this year, you've probably started hearing a lot of buzz around Ladd McConkey coming off his excellent rookie season. On the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski couldn't contain their excitement for McConkey's outlook with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 — and for good reason. But the burning question is: Where should you draft him? Subscribe to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. McConkey's rookie tape and underlying numbers turned plenty of heads, but it's not just about his skills — as both Harmon and Pianowski highlighted, it's about the perfect combination of talent, opportunity and team context. Pianowski didn't mince words: "Ladd McConkey is a great second-round pick. Anywhere you can get him. I'm going to have Ladd McConkey shares. If I overpay for them, I don't care. He's going to catch 115 passes this year. You're going to regret [missing out]. It's going to pain you. If you were between McConkey and somebody else and you took somebody else, you're going to regret that. Please get this guy this year." We're talking must-draft territory. There are a few core reasons McConkey stands out: High-Volume Role: Even as a rookie, McConkey wasn't just a starter, but quickly became the go-to guy in a shallow receiving corps. The Chargers handed the reins to McConkey to the tune of 112 targets and that total should only go up in his sophomore season. Team Situation: As discussed on the podcast, Justin Herbert is healthy and poised for a big year. The Chargers' offensive line has questions, but their high pass rate down the stretch last season was a positive sign for target volume. Player on the rise: Pianowski's praise included advocating for McConkey over A.J. Brown in some formats:"If you come down to A.J. brown versus Ladd McConkey. I want you to take Ladd McConkey every time. So I'm [planting] my flag, there it is." Rookie Precedent: Harmon compared McConkey's Reception Perception data to the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Michael Thomas and Tyreek Hill as rookies. That's elite company. No player comes without question marks. McConkey's raw numbers in college were held back by Georgia's conservative offense, but both analysts are confident that was a product of his environment, not a lack of ability. With the Chargers, there's little established competition for targets — and with Herbert as his quarterback, everything is lining up. Pianowski was adamant McConkey should be a second-round pick in full-PPR leagues, even calling him a 'no-brainer' over established stars if you're on the fence. If general consensus and ADP puts McConkey closer to the third round, do not hesitate. Take him in the late second or early third; you'll beat the rush and snag a true difference-maker with top-10 potential. He projects as the clear top target for his team and could return low-end fantasy WR1 production. If you're drafting in half-PPR, he's still a firm Round 3 pick based on projected volume and role. In standard scoring, bump him to later in the third round or early fourth as touchdowns are less of his profile, but the floor remains high. Pianowski said it best: "Please get this guy this year." So don't be afraid to reach for McConkey — trust the tape, the role and the hype. When your league mates are cursing themselves midseason for passing him up, you'll be glad you listened.