- Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (second season)
- PFF projected win total: 9.2
- 2024 Record: 11-6 (second in AFC West, lost in AFC wild-card round)
Biggest Strength: Secondary
The Chargers’ outstanding secondary propelled the team to a No. 2 ranking in PFF coverage grade last season. They also allowed the third-lowest rate of explosive pass plays. Led by Derwin James Jr. and an outstanding safety unit that placed second, behind Detroit, in PFF grade last season, the Chargers should be a force in pass defense again in 2025.
Biggest Weakness: Receiving Depth
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey was outstanding in his rookie season, but the Chargers are searching for pass-catching depth behind him. Joshua Palmer departed in free agency, while Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen both earned 68.2 PFF receiving grades last season. The biggest weakness is a tight end room that ranked 22nd in PFF receiving grade last season and lacks a top-tier player heading into this season.
Quarterback Spotlight: Justin Herbert
- 2024 PFF Grade: 91.2
- Key Stat: 95.9 PFF passing grade on 10-plus-yard throws (third in NFL)
Herbert played his most efficient football last season in his first campaign under Jim Harbaugh. He set career highs in PFF passing grade, yards per attempt and big-time throw rate. Herbert attacked downfield more often with his powerful arm, which led to his ranking third in the NFL in PFF passing grade on throws that traveled at least 10 yards in the air. He should be able to carry that momentum into this season after placing second in PFF overall grade from Week 7 onward last year.
Offensive Player: WR Ladd McConkey
McConkey quickly proved himself an incredible value as a 2024 second-round pick. He earned an outstanding 85.0 PFF receiving grade, which ranked second among rookie wide receivers and 12th in the NFL. McConkey’s ability to win vertically was a huge factor in Justin Herbert’s success, as he was one of just four qualified wide receivers who ranked in the top 10 in deep and intermediate PFF receiving grade.
Defensive Player: EDGE Khalil Mack
Mack played the second-fewest snaps of his career last season, but he asserted his usual dominance over opposing offensive lines. He ranked fifth among qualified edge defenders with a 90.2 PFF overall grade while placing second, behind T.J. Watt, in PFF run-defense grade (87.7). 2024 was the seventh season in which Mack earned at least a 90.0 PFF overall grade. He is showing no signs of slowing down and should continue to dominate in 2025.
Rookie to Watch: RB Omarion Hampton
The Chargers ranked 29th in PFF rushing grade, 27th in yards after contact per carry and 27th in explosive run rate last season. Their first-round pick should be able to remedy that after earning an elite 94.1 PFF rushing grade over the past two years at North Carolina. He also ranked second in yards after contact and sixth in missed tackles forced among FBS running backs in that span.
Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to run the football, and they drafted Hampton to serve as their battering ram.
Fantasy Spotlight: RB Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton should be viewed as one of the top rookie running backs from the past few seasons and a lead running back on a run-heavy team. He averaged at least eight carries of five or more yards per game in the previous two seasons.
However, the presence of Najee Harris and the lack of receiving potential will likely prevent Hampton from being an immediate top-10 fantasy running back. He will likely be a fantasy starter early on in his rookie season. The more the Chargers mold their offense around Hampton — zone runs and running back targets — the better his fantasy value will be.
Best Bet: QB Justin Herbert to go over 21.5 passing touchdowns (-108)
As highlighted in our look at passing futures to target this season, Herbert’s 21.5-touchdown line is a golden opportunity to take advantage of the passing market. Despite limited options in the receiving game last season, Herbert still managed to toss 23 touchdowns, his fourth time exceeding this line. With far more young, promising talent around him in 2025, this is a line he is easily capable of going over.
Bottom Line
Rashawn Slater’s season-ending injury is very concerning, but Jim Harbaugh has yet to have a losing season as an NFL head coach. The Chargers are still plenty talented enough to compete for a postseason berth.
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