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

[Chargers8491]

If you like Najee this guy will make you drool for RB fanatics. I found an even better clip of this Big Back skill set! I have no problems taking Kaleb with the #22 pick.

He's my 2nd rnd RB if Hampton isn't there @22. Pimped him early on but not a lot a people on the board didn't like him. Not sure why.

[Topcat]

From NFL Draft Buzz

RJ Harvey RB UCF

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Elite lateral quickness and jump-cut ability, consistently making defenders miss in tight spaces and creating yardage where none exists
• Exceptional contact balance combined with low pad level, allowing him to bounce off initial contact and maintain momentum through traffic
• Blazing speed and acceleration, demonstrated by his ability to hit home runs and outrun defensive backs in the open field
• Displays advanced vision and patience, setting up blocks effectively and finding cutback lanes in zone schemes
• Versatile skill set as both a runner and receiver, offering three-down potential with natural hands out of the backfield
• Proven workhorse back with the durability to handle a heavy workload, consistently producing chunk plays throughout the season
• Demonstrates excellent ball security, rarely putting the rock on the ground even in heavy traffic
• Big-play threat on every touch, capable of taking it to the house from anywhere on the field with breakaway speed

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Undersized frame raises concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of a full NFL season and handle pass protection duties
• Can dance too much behind the line of scrimmage, leading to negative plays when he doesn't hit the hole with decisiveness
• Significant liability in pass protection, struggling to anchor against blitzing linebackers and pick up complex pressure packages
• Limited experience as a bell-cow back in a Power 5 conference, raising questions about his ability to handle a feature role
• Lacks ideal power to consistently move the pile in short-yardage situations or break tackles from NFL-caliber defenders

Scouting Report: Summary

Harvey brings a dynamic skill set to the table with his elite speed and elusiveness, making him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add explosiveness to their backfield. His ability to create in space and contribute in the passing game projects well to modern NFL offenses, particularly those employing zone-blocking schemes.

Despite his playmaking ability, Harvey's frame and pass protection deficiencies may limit his immediate impact at the next level. He profiles best as a change-of-pace back early in his career, with the potential to grow into a larger role if he can improve his blocking and show he can withstand the physical toll of increased touches.

Teams will need to weigh Harvey's game-breaking potential against his limitations when considering his draft value.

Oops...poor in pass pro...don't think he's a Harbo type player...pass...

[dmac_bolt]

My guess is the class of overall competition. Somebody mentioned how He ran all over UofA here in Arizona. I think he was some kind of former QB so they have him also taking quite a few snaps out of shotgun and using a himself as a runner/QB down at the Goal line. Competition is indeed fierce this year at RB class.

I wonder why too - I like the tape! great vision, acceleration, 4.4 speed, great wiggle and shake direction change to evade and get in and thru a hole, decisive running. Some good catching, not a lot. I like those short RBs that are hard to find too.

UCF is Big12, for goodness sakes I hope folks aren't considering that akin to NDSU or Akron or something. We get our share of Texas and AZ-affiliated B12 players on the short lists here all the time. I'll say this - when you're stacking up 1900+ combined yards and 25 TDs like Harvey was doing last year, every team you play has your number circled on their plan and every player is keying on YOU - and he still did all that.

Plus - UCF recruited my daughter for their dance team. I don't think she'll go there, but its nice to be asked.

[gzubeck]

He's my 2nd rnd RB if Hampton isn't there @22. Pimped him early on but not a lot a people on the board didn't like him. Not sure why.

I don't think he makes it to #55. He would be picked in the first 3-4 picks in the top of round 2 if he even makes it there. Trade down if there is a receiver another team likes but I do think he might be gone before the end of round one.

[Chargers8491]

I don't think he makes it to #55. He would be picked in the first 3-4 picks in the top of round 2 if he even makes it there. Trade down if there is a receiver another team likes but I do think he might be gone before the end of round one.

I guess that begs the question, do you take him @22 if you can't trade down?

[gzubeck]

I guess that begs the question, do you take him @22 if you can't trade down?

If you want the best 1-2 punch RB duo in the NFL you might! I've already stated I would lose no sleep taking him there if need be. LOL!

[Topcat]

Interesting podcast where they point out Bolt weaknesses last season (left side), then show how we upgraded and our improvement score:

image.png

[Boltjolt]

He's my 2nd rnd RB if Hampton isn't there @22. Pimped him early on but not a lot a people on the board didn't like him. Not sure why.

I like him, id just take Henderson and Judkins before him.

[gzubeck]

I like him, id just take Henderson and Judkins before him.

Not me....

[Boltnut]

He's my 2nd rnd RB if Hampton isn't there @22. Pimped him early on but not a lot a people on the board didn't like him. Not sure why.

Your post early on this guy was really helpful. At the time, the conversation was about, "Who is RB#2 in this draft...?" Both Hampton and Johnson were ranked early 2nd-rounders, at that time, by the pundits... Jeanty was the clear #1RB.

From that moment, I watched a lot of tape from both Hampton and Johnson. I thought Hampton was the better RB... especially contact balance. I thought Hampton's tape probably fell into the #22 slot nicely. Very few people agreed back then. Now, I think pundits generally agree that he's probably RB#2. I think Johnson is probably late-1st round. I wouldn't be mad if the Chargers "over-drafted" him @#22.

Having said that, most of his tape shows an outside zone runner. I'm not saying he couldn't thrive in a gap-power scheme... I just haven't seen enough tape of him in that particular scheme to say for sure. I think he sees the hole better than Hampton... but I think Hampton is better at nearly everything else. I do like Johnson better than Tre'Von or Judkins. I like Judkins over Henderson based on durability, size, and scheme fit.

My best guess... Jeanty goes mid-1st. Hampton goes #21 or #22. Johnson goes late-1st (maybe even Chiefs).
Depending on team-need... Henderson and Judkins go around mid-2nd. We would be very fortunate to get Judkins @#55.

[Boltnut]

Interesting podcast where they point out Bolt weaknesses last season (left side), then show how we upgraded and our improvement score:

image.png

Yep. I've said many times... you're only as good as your weakest link. Sorry Pip... I'm looking at you!
Becton, Najee, and Conklin signings were very shrewd signings.
Doubling up @RB and TE (not just depth but quality) should be on the draft radar.
If you're building around Herbie... be strategic... and be good.

[Boltjolt]

Your post early on this guy was really helpful. At the time, the conversation was about, "Who is RB#2 in this draft...?" Both Hampton and Johnson were ranked early 2nd-rounders, at that time, by the pundits... Jeanty was the clear #1RB.

From that moment, I watched a lot of tape from both Hampton and Johnson. I thought Hampton was the better RB... especially contact balance. I thought Hampton's tape probably fell into the #22 slot nicely. Very few people agreed back then. Now, I think pundits generally agree that he's probably RB#2. I think Johnson is probably late-1st round. I wouldn't be mad if the Chargers "over-drafted" him @#22.

Having said that, most of his tape shows an outside zone runner. I'm not saying he couldn't thrive in a gap-power scheme... I just haven't seen enough tape of him in that particular scheme to say for sure. I think he sees the hole better than Hampton... but I think Hampton is better at nearly everything else. I do like Johnson better than Tre'Von or Judkins. I like Judkins over Henderson based on durability, size, and scheme fit.

My best guess... Jeanty goes mid-1st. Hampton goes #21 or #22. Johnson goes late-1st (maybe even Chiefs).
Depending on team-need... Henderson and Judkins go around mid-2nd. We would be very fortunate to get Judkins @#55.

I just like Judkin's and Henderson over Johnson because they are more explosive. Johnson's 10 yard was only 1.62 so I'm seeing him a little slower to react to openings in the NFL where holes close fast but he does have the bounce out ability.
I like all three so its the little things I'm going by. His 40 time isn't a factor. Possibly all three go round two or one goes late rd 1 to the Chiefs but I'm thinking KC goes OL.