The 2025 NFL preseason kicked off last Thursday, highlighted by the Los Angeles Chargers defeating the Detroit Lions 34-7 in their Hall of Fame game held in Canton, Ohio.
As expected, key fantasy players like Yummy Gibbs and Justin Herbert sat out, with both coaches, Dan Campbell and Jim Harbaugh, opting to rest most starters for this preliminary matchup. Instead, backups like Trey Lance took the field, which made the game interesting for those tracking potential fantasy options for the upcoming season.
A few rookies got their first taste of NFL action in this game. Of course, how they performed doesn’t completely reveal how they might be utilized during regular season play. Yet, it does provide some initial insights for those closely monitoring fantasy drafts.
Let’s take a look at what we learned from the Charger and Lion rookies in the Hall of Fame game.
Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC
The rookie from North Carolina got a start, managing two carries for nine yards during the Chargers’ initial drive before resting for the remainder of the game. As noted by Nathan Yanke of Pro Football Focus, he managed to run just two routes during his brief time on the field.
Drafted as the Chargers’ first-round pick in April, he’s definitely someone to watch for fantasy placements. Historically, Jim Harbaugh has built a solid ground game centered around a strong running back, and Hampton, weighing in at 220 pounds, fits that mold well.
Despite dealing with an eye injury from a July 4th fireworks incident, Hampton has shown enough during training camp to highlight the coaching staff’s confidence in him. Starting as Kimani Vidal suggests he could take on the lead role again when the Chargers face the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
It’s a stretch to name him the RB1 for the Chargers just yet, but by the end of camp, he might just prove he deserves the preseason hype.
Isaac Teslaa, WR, Det
Dan Campbell has demonstrated a solid drafting ability since becoming head coach, and Teslaa could be his latest find. In the Hall of Fame game, the third wide receiver from Arkansas showcased his talent, running 32 snaps and making two catches for 46 yards.
Boasting a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and standing 6’4″, it’s easy to see why he’s creating a buzz during Lions training camp. However, with established players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on the roster, getting noticed early is a tough task. The exhibition game hinted at Campbell’s readiness to utilize Teslaa’s skills, so keep an eye on him this month.
Tre Harris, Keandre Lambert-Smith, WR, LAC
Two rookies, Harris and Lambert-Smith, also had their debut for the Chargers. While Harris was targeted just once, Lambert-Smith caught a 24-yard pass in the second quarter before reaching the end zone, which certainly stood out.
The Chargers are working on reinforcing their depth at the receiver position behind Rudd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Although these rookies may not yet carry much weight in traditional leagues, they could be potential hidden gems in deeper dynasty formats.
Oronde Gadsden II, TE, LAC
The Chargers have veteran tight ends like Tyler Conklin, who caught a touchdown during the preseason opener, while Gadsden remained on the sidelines. However, don’t overlook the rookie Gadsden, despite a shaky start to his first game.
As the son of former Miami Dolphins receiver, he only managed a single reception for seven yards. According to PFF, he was part of the Chargers’ lone snap in an 11-person personnel grouping. This could be more than just coincidence, hinting that he might become a significant target for the team’s tight end options moving forward.
