Chargers' freakish weapon already catching Justin Herbert's attention

This unique Los Angeles Chargers weapon is already making great strides with quarterback Justin Herbert.

May 20, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden (86) looks to make a catch during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers picked up arguably one of the biggest steals of the NFL draft back in April, bagging Syracuse Orange tight end Oronde Gadsden II in the fifth round.

How a freakish athletic like Gadsden fell all the way to Round 5 is anyone's guess, but, nevertheless, he did, and the Chargers reaped the benefits.

Los Angeles had been searching for a tight end, as Will Dissly is clearly not a top option, and Tyler Conklin was a rather underwhelming free-agent signing.

While the jury is obviously still out on Gadsden, he is apparently making a great impression early on. ESPN's Kris Rhim noted that the 6-foot-5 playmaker was the team's "most active pass catcher" in minicamp earlier this week, which included Gadsden snaring a few balls in traffic.

Given that Gadsden hauled in 73 receptions for 934 yards and seven touchdowns at Syracuse last year, this should not come as much of a surprise.

Built like a big wide receiver, Gadsden may very well be one of the most impressive physical specimens in his draft class, and had it not been for an injury that sidelined him for almost all of 2023, he probably would have posted three straight monster campaigns to conclude his collegiate career.

Back in 2022, the 21-year-old caught 61 passes for 975 yards and six scores, averaging an incredible 16 yards per catch. And that was long before Kyle McCord joined the Orange under center.

The productivity is there, and so is the raw talent and potential. It would not be a shock if Gadsden establishes himself as a key weapon for Justin Herbert right off the bat in 2025.

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