Chargers add six players on Day Three of 2025 NFL Draft

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – On the final day of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers made some bold moves on Day 3 with their final six selections, including edge rusher Kyle Kennard from South Carolina as their first pick on Saturday.

The Chargers signed 18 undrafted free agents to compete for team spots.

Kennard, 23, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and is set to step into a significant role as the Chargers aim to replace Joey Bosa, who was released this offseason and subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. Despite Bosa's departure, Khalil Mack has been retained for another season, and the defense will continue to be led by Mack and Derwin James.

This addition is intriguing as Kennard's motivation is strong, ready to align with Mack.

“He is one of the best to ever do it. I can’t wait to play with him,” Kennard said.

Kennard was surprised to be selected 125th overall, as he expected to be chosen earlier, but he is happy with where he landed. Kennard anticipates seeing a significant amount of defensive reps this upcoming season behind Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu.

“I definitely expected to be picked higher,” Kennard said. “But I’m not gonna let that affect my emotions for the moment I’m in right ow, but teams definitely will have to pay for that,”

In round five, the Chargers selected wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Auburn with the 158th overall pick. Lambert-Smith is the seventh receiver chosen in the last three drafts, the highest number in the NFL during that time frame.\

Lambert-Smith, 22, is eager to catch passes from Justin Herbert this upcoming season, as he informed Jim Harbaugh to expect big things from him in his first year.

“I know what he is about. I told Coach Harbaugh he is going to figure out what I am all about,” Lambert-Smith said. “I am going to come and gain his trust. I am going to prove to him I am a playmaker,”

The Chargers are enhancing their offense by selecting tight end Oronde Gadsden II with the 165th overall pick in the fifth round from Syracuse. They did not want to wait for 16 more picks to secure him, so they decided to trade up. By trading away their two sixth-round picks (No. 181 and No. 209), they demonstrated how much they valued him.

There’s no doubt that Gadsden II can be a great playmaker on the field and is dependable in the passing game. However, he will be focusing on improving his performance in the running game to become more productive while on the field.

In round six of the draft, the Chargers chose to strengthen their offensive line by selecting Branson Taylor from Pittsburgh with the 199th pick. They also picked safety R.J. Mickens from Clemson with their 214th pick. Following his draft selection, Taylor participated in a Zoom call with the media, where he expressed his excitement about wearing the powder blue uniforms under the lights at SoFi Stadium.

“As soon as I got on the phone, my heart dropped,” Taylor said. “I could barely breathe,”

There is some uncertainty regarding which position Taylor will play—whether as a tackle or a guard. However, he is not concerned about this; instead, he is focused on getting on the field and being productive right from the first day of training camp.

“Wherever they want to play me, I will play,” Taylor said.

Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz expects to see plenty of Mickens at safety, as James Jr. will primarily be playing in the nickel position. Mickens has looked up to James Jr. over the past few years during his time in high school and college.

“I’ve always looked up too and watched Derwin James all throughout college and high school even,” Mickens said. “It’s just an awesome opportunity for me to be able to learn from one of the greatest safeties in the NFL and really just pick his brain and just get better,”

With their final pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected cornerback Trikweze Bridges from Florida with the 256th pick in the seventh round. This is a solid choice for the Chargers as they wrap up the draft, with Bridges set to compete for a spot on the roster. Last season at Florida, he recorded 70 total tackles and two interceptions. During his last seven starts, he played three games at safety and five at cornerback.

Bridges, 24, played five years at Oregon and one at Florida, playing in 13 games last season. He can certainly play multiple positions and is eager to compete for any role.

“I see myself as both,” Bridges said. “One of the safeties that could come down, play man to man or play zone.”