The Los Angeles Chargers kicked off their fourth preseason game in the Hall of Fame framework, taking on the Detroit Lions and rolling to a 27-point victory as the July slate wrapped up. The showcase offered a first look at the Chargers’ 2025 NFL Draft offensive weapons, providing some early impressions of how they might fit into the lineup this season.
In his NFL debut, 22nd overall pick Omarion Hampton got two carries for 9 yards, showing some burst on his limited touches. Fifth-round receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith stood out as the club’s top option in the passing game on that night, leading the team in receiving yards and pulling in a touchdown catch. Sixth-round tight end Oronde Gadsden, out of Syracuse, contributed 7 yards on a single reception, giving the Chargers another young target to monitor.
One notable up-and-down performance came from 55th overall pick Tre Harris, a wideout from Ole Miss. Harris had one target in the Hall of Fame game but did not come away with a catch. Chargers Wire’s Spencer Schultz urged Harris to show more in his second preseason appearance against an NFC South opponent, underscoring the competition for snaps in a crowded receiving corps.
Taking on the New Orleans Saints in the second preseason game will further test Harris and the rest of the rookies. Harris, the former Rebel, was targeted once in the Hall of Fame game but did not secure a reception. Schultz noted that Harris should still be on the roster and will need to make a stronger impression in future games, especially with the Chargers signing veteran Keenan Allen earlier in the week.
Allen returns to the Chargers after a season with the Chicago Bears, bringing leadership and depth to a wide receiver room that already includes several incumbents. Even in his 12th season, Allen remains a proven playmaker, racking up 744 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns last season. With Allen back and other veterans in the mix, Harris and the rest of the young receivers may see limited action during the regular season unless they earn their share in the preseason and practice reps.
On the practice field, Tre Harris has also faced some scrutiny. The second-round pick who posted 1,000-plus receiving yards in his final college season has reportedly dealt with drops during recent sessions. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper highlighted multiple drops that have hampered Harris’ stock at times, though Popper also noted that Harris should still be positioned for meaningful snaps in base offenses if he can clean up those errors. The upcoming preseason games present a critical opportunity for Harris to shake off the rust and prove he can contribute in real-game conditions.
What this means for the roster and the season ahead
– The Chargers are testing depth behind Keenan Allen, and the early returns from Hampton, Lambert-Smith, and Gadsden are encouraging in terms of upside and playmaking potential.
– Tre Harris has a clear path to a role if he can eliminate drops and show reliability in the route tree and on special teams.
– Allen’s return stabilizes the receiver room and could limit snaps for rookies unless they prove they can consistently separate himself in game situations.
– The preseason will be a key proving ground for the rookies as the Chargers balance developing young players with winning football right away.
Summary
LA’s rookies demonstrated tangible flashes in the Hall of Fame game, with Hampton and Lambert-Smith making early impressions, and Gadsden offering a glimpse of another matchup weapon. The ongoing question for the receiving corps centers on Tre Harris’ development and whether the young group can translate preseason opportunities into meaningful regular-season contributions behind a veteran in Keenan Allen.
A hopeful takeaway
If the young receivers tighten up their precision and consistency, the Chargers could benefit from increased playmaking across the offense while maintaining a strong veteran backbone. The combination of a productive rookie class, Allen’s leadership, and an established core could translate into a dynamic and balanced attack as the season approaches.
Additional context and watch points
– Monitor how the Chargers distribute targets in the next preseason test against the Saints, especially for Tre Harris and the other rookies.
– Keep an eye on Hampton’s utilization as the coaching staff assesses his fit in a multi-back scheme.
– Watch how Lambert-Smith translates his early production into sustained opportunities, potentially carving out a reliable depth role at wide receiver.