A Journey Through The Chargers Draft Picks Since 1990
The Chargers hit spot with Justin Herbert in 2020 - but it's not always been plain sailing in the draft.
Step into the football time machine as we journey through the annals of NFL draft history with the San Diego Chargers, now electrifying the field as the Los Angeles Chargers. From the seismic selections that shook the league to the diamond finds that illuminated their roster, each draft pick tells a tale of triumph, turmoil, and the relentless pursuit of gridiron glory. Join us as we rewind the clock and explore the Chargers' draft journey since 1990, a saga filled with legends, icons, and a few unforgettable twists along the way.
1990s:
In 1990, the Chargers selected Junior Seau, a linebacker from USC, in the first round, who became one of the franchise's greatest players. Sadly, Seau is no longer with us, but his memory lives on.
In 1998, they drafted Ryan Leaf, a quarterback from Washington State, with the second overall pick, which turned out to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The Chargers had high hopes when they took Leaf with the second choice overall in the 1998 draft, right after the Colts took Peyton Manning. Instead, Leaf responded with poor play and poor behavior.
2000s:
The Chargers had some notable draft successes in the early 2000s, including LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001 and Drew Brees in 2001. LT went on to become one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. What the team wouldn’t give to have someone with two thirds of his talent?
In 2004, they selected quarterback Philip Rivers, who had a long and successful career with the team. Big Phil wasn’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea among the wider NFL community, but Chargers fans adored him. He is one of only three QBs to have passed for over 4,000 yards without a 800+ yard receiver. And he did it three times. It’s a real shame that he never won the Super Bowl.
Other notable picks during this decade include Shawne Merriman and Vincent Jackson. Merriman, selected 12th overall in 2005 was a wrecking machine. ‘Light’s out’ showed commitment on every play. He finished his career with 45.5 sacks.
2010s:
In 2012, the Chargers drafted Melvin Ingram with the 18th overall pick. The South Carolina star went on to register 51.5 sacks for the Bolts. Ryan Mathews in the first round.
2013 was a case of the good and the ugly. In his first year as GM, Tom Telesco selected Manti Te’o in Round 2. The rest is history. The pick of 2013 came in Round 3, when the Bolts selected Keenan Allen, who became one of the league’s best route runners.
In 2016, they selected Joey Bosa, a defensive end from Ohio State, who quickly became one of the top defensive players in the league.
In 2018, the Bolts landed Derwin James Jr, with the 17th overall pick. James still has a lot to offer, but injuries in 2019 and 2020 limited his game time.
2020s:
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected quarterback Justin Herbert from Oregon with the sixth overall pick, who had a phenomenal rookie season. Herbert lit up the NFL. Herbert suffered injuries in 2023, but we’re expecting him to have a big year under Jim Harbaugh.
In 2021, they drafted offensive tackle Rashawn Slater in the first round to bolster their offensive line.
Overall, the Chargers have had their share of draft successes and failures over the years, but they've managed to acquire several talented players who have made significant contributions to the team.
Let’s hope this year’s draft looks more like a Justin Herbert calibre player, and less Ryan Leaf.