The LA Chargers face much more uncertainty in the 2025 NFL Draft compared to last year. There’s a major difference between holding the No. 22 pick and picking at No. 5. Rather than controlling their fate, the Chargers now have to react to how the draft unfolds ahead of them.
As a result, their ideal first-round target might be off the board before they get a chance to pick. Michigan tight end Colston Loveland stands out as the best realistic option for Los Angeles, but they’re not the only team eyeing him.
Though concerns about his medical history might cause him to slip, multiple teams could still draft him before the Chargers get their chance. According to NFL insider Benjamin Allbright, the biggest competition appears to be the Indianapolis Colts, who—along with the Chargers—are most frequently linked to Loveland.
Colts revealed as biggest threat to steal Colston Loveland from Chargers
The Colts have just as much of a need at tight end as the Chargers do. Holding the 14th overall pick, it’s highly likely that Loveland will still be available when Indianapolis is on the clock.
If the Colts decide they want Loveland in the first round, they’ll be able to get him without much trouble. The Chargers wouldn’t be able to stop that from happening unless they trade up — and giving up future draft assets to move up 10 spots for a tight end isn’t a smart long-term strategy, even with Loveland’s upside.
The Chargers’ best hope is that the Colts are concerned about Loveland’s medical history. Additionally, tight end isn’t viewed as a premium position in the draft, and teams often lean toward positional value over talent. That could lead the Colts to look elsewhere.
But the issue for the Chargers is that most of the Colts’ other first-round needs also fall into lower-value positions. There isn’t a linebacker or interior offensive lineman who’d be worth picking over Loveland at 14.
One possible saving grace for Los Angeles could be Loveland’s Michigan teammate, Kenneth Grant. The Colts do need help on the interior defensive line, and Grant is considered a strong first-round talent at that spot.
Still, with a young quarterback still developing, it’s more likely the Colts focus on adding a pass-catcher rather than filling a role they could address in the second round.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether the Chargers will even get a shot at Loveland in the 2025 NFL Draft. But as things stand, fans in L.A. might want to start tempering their expectations.
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