Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves the trenches, but is there a position that the team needs more than tight end heading into the 2025 NFL Draft?
Probably not, and that is why Harbaugh's former tight end at Michigan, Colston Loveland, has been mocked to the team hundreds of times this offseason.
In his latest mock draft, R.J. White of CBS Sports took a different approach with his predictions, taking into account current betting odds in Vegas as to which players will go where. It's a different twist to your standard mock draft, and it made for some interesting selections.
"Every 2025 NFL mock draft will likely fall into two categories: what the writer thinks will happen, or what the writer thinks should happen. But in this mock draft, both take a backseat to another category where it pays to be right: what the betting market projects will happen based on NFL draft prop odds at DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook", wrote White.
He has the Chargers landing Loveland, but he predicts that the team will trade up with the Arizona Cardinals into the No. 16 spot to get him. Here are the full details of that trade:
Chargers receive: First round pick (No. 16 overall), Third-round pick (No. 78 overall)
Cardinals receive: First-round pick (No. 22 overall), Second-round pick (No. 55 overall), Fourth-round pick (No. 125 overall)
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
In order to move up six slots in the first round, the Chargers give up a second and fourth-round pick in exchange for Arizona's third. It's a steep price, but one that lands the Chargers Loveland, a player who could become a top-five tight end in the league rather quickly. The deal makes sense from Arizona's end as well.
"While the Chargers are favored to take DL/edge (+130) over tight end (+450) at FanDuel, many mocks have connected them with Loveland, Jim Harbaugh's former player at Michigan. However, DraftKings has Loveland at -225 to go Under 19.5, putting him out of range. The Cardinals are likely looking to trade down, so this looks like a potential match where the Chargers trade Nos. 22, 55 and 125 for Nos. 16 and 78", wrote White.
If you believe the odds, the Chargers won't have a chance to draft Loveland at No. 22. This deal would ensure that they could get him, and that is something Chargers fans would likely be raving about as the current depth chart includes only Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly, Tucker Fisk, McCallan Castles and Jordan Petaia.
There are some players who can be solid contributors on that list, but Loveland has a chance to be a do-it-all guy, and this offense could really use that.
MORE CHARGERS CONTENT
Dolphins' asking price for Tyreek Hill should scare Chargers away from the phone
Chargers predicted to acquire division rival's No. 1 wide receiver in trade
Chargers' biggest first-round draft bust might not be who you think, history shows
Chargers predicted to take former Jim Harbaugh rival in first round of draft
Chargers predicted to be benefactor of bad news for New Orleans Saints