With the 158th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers have selected Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
With the 158th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, adding a dynamic and versatile playmaker to their receiving corps. This selection underscores the Chargers’ commitment to enhancing their offensive arsenal, providing quarterback Justin Herbert with another potent weapon.
Full Name: KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Auburn University
Height: 6’0.5″
Weight: 193 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds
Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches
Broad Jump: 10’4″
College Stats (2024 Season): 50 receptions, 981 yards, 8 touchdowns nfldraftbuzz.comSI+9SI+9Steelers Depot+9Instagram+9Steelers Depot+9FOX Sports+9
Lambert-Smith began his collegiate journey at Penn State, where he played from 2020 to 2023. During his tenure, he amassed 1,598 receiving yards on 116 receptions, showcasing his deep-threat capabilities with multiple 80-yard receptions—the most in Penn State history. In his senior season, he recorded 53 catches for 673 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors .Auburn Tigers Athletics+1Steelers Depot+1
In 2024, Lambert-Smith transferred to Auburn, where he led the team in receiving yards and co-led in touchdowns. His performance included several standout games, such as a 116-yard outing against Alabama and a 104-yard game against Texas A&M .FOX Sports+2SI+2rosterwatch.com+2FOX Sports
At the 2025 NFL Combine, Lambert-Smith impressed scouts with his athleticism, recording a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, a 1.53-second 10-yard split, a 34.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10’4″ broad jump. These metrics highlight his explosive speed and agility, essential traits for a wide receiver in the NFL .SI+1Steelers Depot+1
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Deep Threat Capability: Lambert-Smith’s straight-line speed allows him to stretch defenses vertically, making him a constant deep threat.
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Ball Tracking and Body Control: He demonstrates excellent ability to track deep passes and adjust his body mid-air, ensuring high catch rates on deep routes.
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Route Running: His proficiency in timing comeback and curl routes, combined with sharp breaks, enables him to create separation from defenders.Steelers Depot
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Blocking: Lambert-Smith is a tenacious blocker, often engaging defenders downfield and maintaining blocks through the whistle .rosterwatch.com
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Route Tree Expansion: While effective on comeback and dig routes, Lambert-Smith’s route tree is limited, and he will need to diversify his route-running skills at the professional level.
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Press Coverage: He occasionally struggles against physical press coverage, which could be challenging against NFL-caliber cornerbacks.Steelers Depot+1nfldraftbuzz.com+1
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Consistency: There are moments where his concentration lapses, leading to uncharacteristic drops or missed opportunities.
The Chargers envision Lambert-Smith as a developmental prospect with the potential to contribute immediately as a deep threat. His ability to stretch the field complements the existing receiving corps, providing Herbert with multiple options in the passing game. With focused coaching, Lambert-Smith has the upside to evolve into a reliable contributor, potentially developing into a starting-caliber receiver.nfldraftbuzz.com+1rosterwatch.com+1
Comparisons to players like Trey Palmer and Rashid Shaheed are apt, as Lambert-Smith shares their explosive speed and deep-threat potential. If he can refine his route-running and adapt to the physicality of NFL defenses, he has the tools to become a significant asset for the Chargers.rosterwatch.com+1Steelers Depot+
KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s selection by the Los Angeles Chargers at pick 158 represents a strategic move to bolster the team’s receiving options. With his blend of speed, agility, and playmaking ability, Lambert-Smith has the potential to make an immediate impact and develop into a key contributor in the Chargers’ offense.
