The Los Angeles Chargers have put together back-to-back solid NFL drafts, adding players at positions of need while making sure that a majority of them come with a certain pedigree.
Since becoming head coach of the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh has focused on certain players and general manager Joe Hortiz has bought into the process. For one, Harbaugh likes the players he used to coach at Michigan and who can blame him? He won a national championship while there.
But perhaps even more than that, he seems to like players who have family ties to players who have played in the NFL before. It's either that, or there is a massive coincidence that the roster has so many of these players.
It seems more likely that the former is the case, particularly with the fact that so many of these players are late-round picks, where you're just looking for something that could separate them from the rest of the pack. Harbaugh is an old-school coach, so it makes sense that he values a player having that in their background.
Here is a look at current Chargers players who are directly related to a player who once played in the NFL. All but one of these players was added during the Hortiz/Harbaugh regime that took over in 2023.
Chargers players with NFL bloodlines
| Player | Position | Player Relation | Relationship | Years in the NFL |
| Christopher Hinton | DL | Chris Hinton | Father | 13 |
| Brenden Rice | WR | Jerry Rice | Father | 20 |
| Jalen Reagor | WR | Montae Reagor | Father | 9 |
| Joe Alt | OT | John Alt | Father | 13 |
| Elijah Molden | DB | Alex Molden | Father | 8 |
| Keandre Lambert-Smith | WR | Kam Chancellor | Uncle | 9 |
| R.J. Mickens | DB | Ray Mickens | Father | 11 |
Not only are these players the sons or nephews of former NFL players, but all of the players had long, productive careers and were some of the best players in the league during their era.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
This is absolutely something Harbaugh and Hortiz are highlighting with a bright yellow highlighter when doing their scouting reports, even though they would never admit it.
MORE CHARGERS CONTENT
Chargers will open 2025 preseason slate in annual Hall of Fame Game
4 Chargers players who will be looking over their shoulder following 2025 NFL Draft results
Chargers well-known undrafted free agent has only one chance of making an NFL roster
Grading Chargers' final 3 picks in 2025 NFL Draft: Branson Taylor, R.J. Mickens, Trikweze Bridges
Grading Chargers' fifth-round selection of tight end Oronde Gadsden II