Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | Free Agency and Draft

[CanadianBoltFan]

I am skeptical that Hampton gets enough carries to put up the numbers needed to be the OROY. I think Harris starts early and gets the bulk of the carries with Hampton as his backup, at least early in the season.

Personally, I think Hampton is too good and provides far better burst than Najee. I see Hampton up to 15 touches a game sooner than later. Harris is a solid, reliable RB but Hampton is an impact player who might just be too good to keep off the field, a player that can change this offense.

[wu-dai clan]

4 rec, 1 TD seems like a low bar.

LOL.
Skill set--not talent level.
Hortiz says there is lots of meat on the bone.
Glimpses of sophisticated route running.
Setting up DBs.
And stuff...

[dmac_bolt]

I am not sure if KLS will "beat out" QJ but I do believe he will eat into his snaps.

KLS provides something this offense was missing...a legitimate deep threat who can take the top of defenses and catch deep passes. He can also play X or Z.

Does QJ really provide something the offense cant live without?

Tre and MW are the big contested catch receivers who can work the sidelines and play X. Tre is also YAC. Ladd is slot and brilliant on underneath routes, also provides YAC. Gadsden will work the seam and catches very well. Conklin a reliable possession receiver.

QJ seems like like a receiver you need to manufacture certain touches for because of his limited skill set. QJ could change that if he comes in and excels, makes a year 3 jump but if we get the same as last year that was a very average and replaceable WR2. The biggest thing QJ will need to master is consistency. There is no longer a need for him to be on the field when he is having one of his sub par games when he doesn't catch anything or get open.

For me QJ's draft pedigree means nothing. This regime didn't choose him. I am not writing him off as an asset, I just see him as a player you throw him into the new mix and see what he earns. After Ladd, lets see which competitors rise

I agree draft pedigree means nothing. Seems to me that is the most significant critique from most of his detractors but I could be wrong.

QJ provides at worst bench depth insurance in 2025 for:

1. Rookies are not day 1 NFL star receivers that some assume and need time to develop
2. Receivers get hurt (any)

If BOTH 1 and 2 happen, he absolutely provides something. If neither happen, he's possible unused bench depth. I don't know how many times we need to watch Charger teams get a couple injuries and become crippled before we all agree not just with the abstract concept of depth, but actually keeping the players that provide depth. Folks wanted to cut Pipkins, some also Zion or Boze, the last couple weeks the focus has been to dump Q. if we assume worst-case they all lose starting jobs to every 2nd string player behind them all, they are still better depth than the 3rd and 4th stringers that were on the roster behind all of those guys.

DEPTH = LOVE!

QJ has some routes he is better at than others, but I think the Q-limitations statements in TPB are a bit over-blown. Its more fair to just say that he's never shown he is an elite WR1. I expect some further improvement, but even I'm not betting on him being a league leading WR1 this year. I don't sleep in QK tshirts. I only think he doesn't need that much improvement to be a valuable roster member to keep.

as you note - its a new year, new camp, new day. Every receiver coming in needs to earn it, thats my view too. Q is no exception.

[Charge!]

Personally, I think Hampton is too good and provides far better burst than Najee. I see Hampton up to 15 touches a game sooner than later. Harris is a solid, reliable RB but Hampton is an impact player who might just be too good to keep off the field, a player that can change this offense.

I agree.... Harris will have enough carries to keep Hampton fresh, but if we get a big lead, I would see Harris as the closer to run out clock while Hampton gets rest so he will last the long NFL season and playoffs.....

[dmac_bolt]

I will push back a little.

Yes rookie WRs will make mistakes and have things to learn, but in todays NFL and the offenses in college now, many WRs are coming into the NFL and making an impact early. WRs taking until year 3 to make the necessary jump is more in the past. In other words QJ is more the exception than the rule nowadays.

I dont expect all rookies to displace veteran WRs like you said, but QJ has not established a body of work that cannot be improved. Both of our rookie WRs catch the ball better, both of them seem to separate better...2 glaring weaknesses in our WR room with last years veteran personnel other than Ladd.

I do agree with "clean slate" though. Ladd is entrenched. Beyond him...competitors welcome. Lets see who earns snaps and improves this offense

More receivers are more NFL ready now, agree - but not all and Q isn't the only one. McConkey only had 1 game > 50 yards and didn't have a 100 yard game until Oct 27. Even "ready" receivers may not be fully ready in September.

We think both of our rookies caught the ball "better" in the NCAA. We've never seen them catch an NFL pass, and we've never seen them separate from NFL DBs, we haven't seen them catch a contested ball when contesting it with NFL caliber DBs. Quentin had a hell of a senior season himself in the NCAA. If they do the same they did last year at the NFL level, we're fricken golden and QJ can hand them water bottles when they come to the sideline. If they are not instant gold, QJ is an insurance policy.

I can't believe we've debated for a couple dozen pages if we should have roster depth at wide receiver in 2025 or wait to see if draft picks are ready on day 1 to play in the NFL.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I agree draft pedigree means nothing. Seems to me that is the most significant critique from most of his detractors but I could be wrong.

QJ provides at worst bench depth insurance in 2025 for:

1. Rookies are not day 1 NFL star receivers that some assume and need time to develop
2. Receivers get hurt (any)

If BOTH 1 and 2 happen, he absolutely provides something. If neither happen, he's possible unused bench depth. I don't know how many times we need to watch Charger teams get a couple injuries and become crippled before we all agree not just with the abstract concept of depth, but actually keeping the players that provide depth. Folks wanted to cut Pipkins, some also Zion or Boze, the last couple weeks the focus has been to dump Q. if we assume worst-case they all lose starting jobs to every 2nd string player behind them all, they are still better depth than the 3rd and 4th stringers that were on the roster behind all of those guys.

DEPTH = LOVE!

QJ has some routes he is better at than others, but I think the Q-limitations statements in TPB are a bit over-blown. Its more fair to just say that he's never shown he is an elite WR1. I expect some further improvement, but even I'm not betting on him being a league leading WR1 this year. I don't sleep in QK tshirts. I only think he doesn't need that much improvement to be a valuable roster member to keep.

as you note - its a new year, new camp, new day. Every receiver coming in needs to earn it, thats my view too. Q is no exception.

Good post Dmac.

I agree with all you said. I didn't mean to imply QJ is useless and provides nothing. I like him in the mix and I love the depth of the whole group shaping up, love the competition. I was just trying to illustrate that we haven't seen anything from QJ in 2 years that should automatically keep him on the field. I mean he was part of the failure to support Herbert enough that Harbaugh referred to.

[BigBad]

I think WR Luke Grimm is possibly one to watch. Div III guy has a mountain to climb.

Go to 0:32. Who does that remind you of?

[CanadianBoltFan]

More receivers are more NFL ready now, agree - but not all and Q isn't the only one. McConkey only had 1 game > 50 yards and didn't have a 100 yard game until Oct 27. Even "ready" receivers may not be fully ready in September.

We think both of our rookies caught the ball "better" in the NCAA. We've never seen them catch an NFL pass, and we've never seen them separate from NFL DBs, we haven't seen them catch a contested ball when contesting it with NFL caliber DBs. Quentin had a hell of a senior season himself in the NCAA. If they do the same they did last year at the NFL level, we're fricken golden and QJ can hand them water bottles when they come to the sideline. If they are not instant gold, QJ is an insurance policy.

I can't believe we've debated for a couple dozen pages if we should have roster depth at wide receiver in 2025 or wait to see if draft picks are ready on day 1 to play in the NFL.

Also well said

lol we are getting into the quiet days of the off season and still pumped after draft so we have to talk about something!

At least we will get to see all these rookies this weekend

[wu-dai clan]

Sooo...

how often will we be in 10 personnel ?

We will run the football.

[Bolt4Knob]

Go to 0:32. Who does that remind you of?

Emmanuel Sanders

[Bolt4Knob]

Sooo...

how often will we be in 10 personnel ?

We will run the football.

Chargers will be one of the top 5 teams in the vertical passing game this year -- health willing of MWill, Harris, KLS and Gadsden.

Herbert is one of the best QBs in the NFL in play action and downfield passing (20+ yards)

The run game will be needed to improve but for the Chargers to win - they will be vertical this year.

[BigBad]

Chargers will be one of the top 5 teams in the vertical passing game this year -- health willing of MWill, Harris, KLS and Gadsden.

Herbert is one of the best QBs in the NFL in play action and downfield passing (20+ yards)

The run game will be needed to improve but for the Chargers to win - they will be vertical this year.

And with the space Ladd and Conklin will kill the middle of the field.