The Chargers want to be a run first team and protect the ball. They didn’t have the backs last year but drafted Omarion Hampton and signed Najee Harris to be power backs that wear down defenses and move the chains. They added Mekhi Becton from the Eagles who helped block Saquon Barkley’s way to a 2,000 yard season.
The Chargers have a talented offensive line with quality backups to keep the team’s identity intact through a 17-game season. Herbert protects the ball as seen by the Chargers ranking 1st in the NFL in interception rate. Los Angeles was 11th in time of possession in 2024, and that’ll go up into the top 5 in 2025.
QB: Justin Herbert
Herbert isn’t being tasked with carrying the team and it led to his best record as a pro at 11-6 in 2024. He threw almost 200 fewer pass attempts than his last full season in 2022. He finished the year with 23 TDs and only 3 INTs.
While he may not be passing for 5,000 yards and close to 40 TDs like in 2021, he did cut his interceptions down by 80% from that year and the results proved more effective. He also bested his career-highs of carries and rushing yards from 2021 with 69 for 306 last year and scored twice more.
If tasked with turning up the volume as a passer he still can as seen in his last 4 games in which he threw 2+ TDs in each, on 35 attempts per game for an average of 277 yards with a 71% completion ratio. However, he did throw 2 of his 3 INTs in this 4-game span. In the first 14 games he only averaged 28 pass attempts for 212 yards per game with a 64% completion rate and only 4 multiple TD games, although he only threw 1 INT during that span.
RB: Omarion Hampton
Hampton rushed for 1,500+ yards and 15 TDs in each of his last 2 collegiate seasons. He’s a smashmouth back built for a Jim Harbaugh attack. He looks to build up speed and punish tacklers. Where most backs who fall forward pick up a yard or two, Hampton picks up an additional 3-4. Perfect for a “move-the-chains” type of attack that wears down defenders.
Hampton also averaged 34 for 298 over his last 2 years at UNC on receptions. Hampton can be frustrating to watch if you’re looking for a creator back but he landed in the right offense that can open the desired running holes and let him plow through them.
RB: Najee Harris
Almost everything said about Hampton runs parallel to describing Harris. Harris is a volume back that has 4 straight 1,000 yard seasons while averaging 3.8-4.1 ypc each year. He is what he is. The combination of Hampton and Harris allows Harbaugh to pound the defense for 4 straight quarters each week. The duo will stay fresh with a healthy rotation.
WR: Ladd McConkey
McConkey turned it on over his last 7 games, leaving no doubt that he was the guy. During that stretch, he averaged 6 catches for 94 yards a game on a 78% catch rate while averaging 14.6 yards per reception.
He’ll remain the top option in the passing attack in his second season, only being limited by the identity of the offense being one that’s run first.
WR: Quentin Johnston
Johnston made finding the end zone his strength with 8 TDs on his first 42 catches of the season. The Week 17 game boosted his stats on the year with 13 receptions on 14 targets for 186 yards. He provides his value on 25+ yard touchdown catches, recording 4 of those in his first 8 games of 2024.
WR: Tre Harris
Harbaugh needed some more talent in the receiver room, so he added Harris in the second round and drafted KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the 5th. Harris is an Allen Robinson-type of possession receiver who will eat within 10 yards and outside of that uses his 32” arms, 38.5” vertical, and great concentration to stay focused on the ball and haul in contested catches.
WR: Derius Davis / KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Davis will be competing with Lambert-Smith for a role behind the top trio of receivers in L.A. In his 2 NFL seasons, Davis has received 17 targets in each in which he’s averaged 6.4 yards per reception. He’ll need to show growth in 2025 or risk watching his reps go to the rookie.
TE: Will Dissly
In his first season with the Chargers, Dissly had a career year in targets (64) receptions (50) and yards (481). He played on 57% of the offensive snaps. Dissly fit well in Harbaugh’s design for the offense to be run first and showed enough as a receiving option that he signed him away from Seattle in 2024.
TE: Tyler Conklin
In the last 4 years Conklin has averaged 58 / 554 / 3 as a receiving option while playing on average over 75% of the offensive snaps. Conklin’s addition with Dissly allows the Chargers to have 2 viable options as blockers that can also be a threat as a receiving option.
TE: Orande Gadsden II
The rookie 5th rounder was a wide receiver converted to tight end while at Syracuse. At this stage he’s still more receiver than tight end but could develop over time. Last year he put up 73 / 934 / 7 in his last collegiate season.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Omarion Hampton
While Hampton will split time with Harris, he’ll be the lead back as it won’t be a 1A and 1B, rather a 65 / 35 split with Hampton having the fresh, younger legs and capable of doing more with his share of the touches. Harris will allow him to stay fresh and provide a peak performance of punishment. He’ll finish with 250 / 1,100 / 7 with 35 receptions for 200 yards.
BUST: Najee Harris
The 4 year streak of 1,000 yard seasons breaks in 2025 as Harris becomes the complementary back in the Chargers backfield. Gone are the days of 250+ carries. He’ll have his touches cut in half and finish the year with 130 / 550 / 4 on the ground with 20 receptions for 150 yards.
SLEEPER: Tre Harris
Harris wins with shiftiness in his routes and routinely gets cornerbacks turned around to create separation. He’ll change pace to lull defenders and then accelerate by the coverage as they shift down. He’s a big target that can get open underneath on high percentage throws from his quarterback.
His ability allows him a floor of no worse then the third option in the passing attack and the ability to nip at Johnston’s heels as the second option behind McConkey. Harris will be a go-to chain mover in the passing game along with McConkey.
BOLD PREDICTION: Quentin Johnston
The former first round pick from just 2 drafts ago will lose his spot among the top 2 receivers in the offense to both second round receivers from the following 2 drafts, McConkey and Harris. While McConkey already surpassed him as a rookie, Johnston will also fail to receive as many targets and receptions as the rookie Harris in 2025. Johnston will receive less targets this year than his rookie season (67).
