Unpacking the Chargers' draft success, this podcast reveals how new picks are forging a sustainable roster, unlike past struggles.
Taylor’s latest Electric Edge episode is essentially a franchise progress report on the Chargers’ roster-building under GM Joe Hortiz, using the 2024 and 2025 draft classes as the evidence.
The main thrust is that the Chargers have finally started stacking real contributors through the draft, and Taylor frames that as a clear upgrade from the late-stage Tom Telesco era, when too many picks either failed to develop or didn’t stick in the league. Instead of just recapping names, the episode leans into “hits vs misses” and what those outcomes say about the direction of the franchise.
In the 2024 class, Taylor spots a foundation forming at premium positions. Joe Alt is treated as the no-doubt cornerstone pick — a top-tier tackle selection who validated the No. 5 investment even with an injury bump in 2025. Ladd McConkey is presented as the other home-run, a second-round receiver who delivered early and fit the long-term plan. From there, the episode swings through the middle and late rounds as a mix of real value (defensive starters found on Day 3, plus a legitimate rotational RB hit) and clear whiffs — most notably Junior Colson as the big disappointment given the draft capital and the combination of injuries and underperformance.
The 2025 class is graded as even more encouraging, mostly because it adds more high-end “identity” pieces. Omarion Hampton is praised as the type of physical back that changes the tone of an offense, while Tre' Harris and Aronde Gadsden II are discussed through the lens of how they can expand the attack — especially within what Taylor expects from a Mike McDaniel-influenced offensive structure. Taylor also highlights late-round defensive value again, pointing to RJ Mickens as a “role-growing” selection.
The closing message is forward-looking: if Hortiz keeps hitting on mid-to-late-round defenders, the next step is using upcoming drafts (and roster capital) to keep fortifying the offensive and defensive lines so the Chargers aren’t just adding talent — they’re building a sustainable roster core.