Joe Hortiz has been the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers for just under two years now. He’s had some mixed reviews, but there’s no denying how different he is from former Chargers GM Tom Telesco. Hortiz may not have made the splash moves in free agency, but to his credit, the team didn’t give him much room to work with in 2024. There’s also a fair chance they didn’t view 2025 as the year to go all in.

Some of the moves he’s made have been questionable, while others have panned out nicely for Los Angeles. What fans and the media have no choice but to recognize is Hortiz’s near-flawless approach to both the 2024 and 2025 drafts. Not every pick is going to be a standout, superstar-caliber player. You’re lucky to get one per class who can be a potential Pro Bowler and maybe find a solid starter or two along the way. That’s the dream for any general manager.

But for Hortiz? He seems to know exactly where to go when it’s time to pick a potential star or secure a high-quality starter on a rookie deal. Fans once gave Telesco the nickname “Coupon Tom” for finding ways to improve the team on a budget. If that’s the case, then it should be double—or even triple—that with Joe Hortiz.

Here are the players drafted that have made a sizable impact for the Bolts since Hortiz walked through the door: Joe Alt, Ladd McConkey, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, and Jamaree Caldwell. Those are just the guys who’ve played enough to have their impact truly felt.

After that, look at players like Justin Eboigbe, Kimani Vidal, Omarion Hampton, Tre Harris, and Oronde Gadsden II—guys who have flashed superstar potential and given the team quality play, even in limited samples. They look like a core that can hold strong for years to come. Eboigbe took a year to develop, and maybe that opens the door for someone like Kyle Kennard to break out next season and join that list of strong Hortiz draft selections.

When it felt like Telesco was closing his eyes and throwing darts at the board, Hortiz comes across like a long-range sniper—well-trained, focused, and deliberate. When he identifies a player he needs, he moves up and gets him. That’s exactly how Los Angeles landed Ladd McConkey in 2024 and Oronde Gadsden II in 2025.

Whatever criticisms exist about Hortiz, his draft skills should be off-limits. The Chargers have improved as much as they have over the past two years largely because of the impact players he’s brought in through the draft.

This upcoming offseason will be crucial, as fans expect the team to take the leap into true Super Bowl contention. Let’s see how Hortiz helps make that happen after what everyone hopes will be a strong finish to the 2025 season.