Is Oronde Gadsden the Next Great Tight End for the Los Angeles Chargers?
The Chargers may have just found a gem in the fifth-round pick, and that hidden gem is Oronde Gadsden II. If his early impact is any indication, he’s not just another rookie in camp; he might be the next great tight end in Los Angeles. Gadsden starred at Syracuse and set school records for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end, and is already turning heads at The Bolt’s training facility. Known for his elite hands and smooth route-running, Gadsden is showing the kind of dedication and maturity that can’t be coached, and the Chargers' staff is noticing.
Still wired to East Coast time, Gadsden often wakes up at 5 A.M. and instead of lounging or easing into the day, he pedals eight minutes to the facility to get a head start. Whether it’s walking through plays alone on the field or getting extra work with the coaching staff, the rookie has made it clear he’s here to work. “I usually just wake up… so I may as well come over here and do some things before everyone else gets here,” Gadsden said. This early grind is paying off. Chargers TE coach Andy Bischoff raved about Gadsden’s approach, calling him “a really impressive learner” and “a tell-him-one-time guy” who absorbs coaching immediately. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh added that Gadsden has “been what we thought” — a true competitor and playmaker.
While it’s still early in his NFL journey, Gadsden is already drawing lofty comparisons. Bischoff, who coached Darren Waller in Baltimore, said Gadsden reminds him of Waller — another college wide receiver who transitioned into an elite tight end. “He’s got some of those traits,” Bischoff said. “He’s twitchy. He separates. He does really good things in the pass game.” Offensive coordinator Greg Roman echoed the excitement, saying Gadsden is “very mature” and “flashing some really good things” as he learns the offense. Even Harbaugh couldn’t hold back: “He keeps flashing, keeps showing up. And they’re big plays… chunk plays.”
Though his receiving skills are currently NFL-ready, Gadsden knows his blocking game is a work in progress. The good news is that he is showing a clear willingness to improve. With this combination of his physical tools and relentless work ethic, it is easy to envision Gadsden becoming a complete player. It would surely bring a new star to the team.
Whether he’s staying late, working solo walk-throughs, or picking the brains of vets and coaches, Gadsden is doing everything right. And for a team looking to create more explosive mismatches and fill the TE void, his emergence couldn't come at a better time. It’s early — but the signs are there. Gadsden is smart, hungry, and already flashing at every level of the field. If his development continues at this pace, it won’t be long before the rest of the league takes notice. For now, the Chargers may have quietly landed one of the biggest steals of the draft — and possibly, their next great tight end.
