NFL Draft Aid for Justin Herbert Secured in Later Rounds for Chargers
In a living room buzzing with excitement, KeAndre Lambert-Smith waited. His phone rang, breaking the silence, but he was too overcome to express the tears he'd anticipated. It was just elation upon learning he was a draft pick for the Los Angeles Chargers.
"I don't mind the round or pick number," the fifth-round pick confessed during a videoconference, still hoarse from emotion, "I'm just excited to join the L.A. Chargers!"
The Chargers concluded their 2025 NFL Draft by making nine selections, five on offense and four on defense, in a bid to tackle issues across the roster.
LA Chargers Roster Boost
Looking to bolster quarterback Justin Herbert's support system, the Chargers added Lambert-Smith and Oronde Gadsden II with the 158th and 165th picks, respectively, on Saturday. They also drafted first-round running back Omarion Hampton and second-round receiver Tre Harris earlier.
Assistant general manager Chad Alexander explained the players the Chargers brought in were fierce competitors with a knack for speed and toughness. "We prioritized those core values: the toughness, great teammates, high football IQ, speed, versatility," he said.
While Lambert-Smith had a solid college career at Auburn with 981 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, Gadsden was being hailed as the most prolific tight end in Syracuse history after a 73-reception, 1,023-yard season in 2024.
The Chargers were eager to get Gadsden on their roster, even trading up to select him with the 165th pick.
Rising Tight End
Praised by general manager Joe Hortiz for his vertical presence in the middle of the field, Gadsden was keenly aware of the room for improvement in his blocking skills as he adjusts to a new position. "I want to be one of the greats," he declared, "so I'll continue to work on my pass game and improve my run blocking."
The Chargers focused on drafting passing options for Herbert but added only one offensive lineman, Branson Taylor from Pittsburgh, in the sixth round. While Taylor played tackle for the Panthers, the Chargers foresee him as a potential guard for their interior line, which has been a concern since a poor playoff outing against Houston in 2024.
On defense, the Chargers bolstered their edge-rushing corps with fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard from South Carolina, the 2024 SEC defensive player of the year with a conference-best 11 ½ sacks.
Undrafted Free-Agents
Former St. John Bosco star quarterback DJ Uiagalelei led the Chargers' 18 undrafted free agents. Uiagalelei, a former five-star recruit, will join a quarterback room filled with veterans like Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance, who recently signed with the Chargers.
The Chargers' impactful NFL Draft picks:
- RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, Round 1, Pick 22
- WR Tre Harris, Mississippi, Round 2, Pick 55
- DT Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon, Round 3, Pick 86
- OLB Kyle Kennard, South Carolina, Round 4, Pick 125
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn, Round 5, Pick 158
- TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse, Round 5, Pick 165
- G Branson Taylor, Pittsburgh, Round 6, Pick 199
- S RJ Mickens, Clemson, Round 6, Pick 214
- DB Trikweze Bridges, Round 7, Pick 256
FREE-AGENTS:
- DL TeRah Edwards, Illinois
- DL Josh Fuga, Virginia Tech
- WR Luke Grimm, Kansas
- OLB Kylan Guidry, Western Kentucky
- G Nash Jones, Texas State
- S Jaylen Jones, Virginia Tech
- C Josh Kaltenberger, Maryland
- TE Stevo Klotz, Iowa State
- CB Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green State
- CB Myles Purchase, Iowa State
- OLB Garmon Randolph, Baylor
- CB Nikko Reed, Oregon
- CB Eric Rogers, Rutgers
- RB Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
- OT Corey Stewart, Purdue
- QB DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State
- OT Savion Washington, Syracuse
- LB Marlowe Wax, Syracuse
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith, a draft pick for the Los Angeles Chargers, expressed delight during a videoconference, stating, "I don't mind the round or pick number, I'm just excited to join the L.A. Chargers!"
- The Chargers drafted Oronde Gadsden II with the 165th pick, trading up to secure the prolific tight end from Syracuse.
- Assistant general manager Chad Alexander highlighted the players drafted by the Chargers for their speed, toughness, and football IQ.
- In addition to Lambert-Smith, the Chargers picked Oronde Gadsden II to support quarterback Justin Herbert, acknowledging Gadsden's vertical presence in the middle of the field.
- The Chargers added only one offensive lineman, Branson Taylor, in the sixth round, but they see him as a potential guard for the interior line, which has been a concern since a poor playoff outing against Houston in 2024.
- The Chargers drafted Kyle Kennard from South Carolina in the fourth round to bolster their edge-rushing corps, with Kennard earning the 2024 SEC defensive player of the year title.
