The first wave of NFL free agency is in the books.
The Chargers have added 18 players to their roster in recent weeks, a group that includes news faces and players who were on the squad last season.
So, how do NFL experts view the work Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and his staff have done?
The Chargers made perhaps their biggest move Friday night when they signed guard Mekhi Becton — who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds — a decision that received rave reviews around the league.
Travis Wakeman of The Sporting News lauded the Bolts for the move and gave the team an 'A grade.'
The Chargers — who already have Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at the tackle spots — will presumably play Becton at guard as well, making this a fantastic move. It's somewhat surprising to see the Eagles let him get away, but it gives the Chargers a chance to have one of the most physical lines in football next year.
With Najee Harris being signed as the lead back, it's not hard to see what [Jim] Harbaugh is trying to do with this team offensively. It's going to be an all day fight when you play the Chargers.
This is the best move the Chargers have made in free agency so far this offseason and there isn't much to dislike about this deal. Becton will turn just 26 years old in April and could still have the best football of his playing career in front of him.
Mike Jones of The Athletic concurred with Wakeman and also gave the Chargers a top mark.
Jones wrote:
Becton shifted to guard and remained healthy while helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Now he joins a Chargers line that has two talented young bookends but needed a boost on the interior.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at G Mekhi Becton's first day with the Bolts!
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers sign Mekhi Becton on Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
From a big-picture perspective, Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News recently handed out overall grades for free agency and gave the Bolts an A- grade for their strong collection of work.
Iyer said the additions of running back Najee Harris and wide receiver Mike Williams — plus Khalil Mack's return — caught his eye.
Iyer wrote:
Harris is the ideal fit for the power-running mindset of Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. The return of Williams can help Justin Herbert well. Reshuffling at corner was needed for the defense, while the team made a smart choice to bring back Mack.
Harris said Friday that he joined the Bolts in part to play for Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
The running back, who has never missed a game in his NFL career, was recruited in high school by Harbaugh.
Eric Moody, a fantasy football writer for ESPN, opined that the Harris' addition was the best move any team made in free agency.
Moody wrote:
The union of Harris and offensive coordinator Greg Roman bodes well for his 2025 season outlook, regardless of whether Los Angeles adds a running back in the draft. Harris -- who signed for one year and up to $9.25 million -- has had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and more touches than any player in the league since his rookie year in 2021. He's a great fit behind an offensive line the Chargers have heavily invested in.
Bookmark the Chargers 2025 Free Agency Tracker for the latest news and analysis.
