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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

List Of Los Angeles Chargers First-round Draft Picks
The Los Angeles Chargers are an American football franchise who play in the National Football League (NFL). They began play in Los Angeles in 1960 as charter members of the American Football League (AFL), switched cities to San Diego the following season, and returned to Los Angeles in 2017. The AFL was formed as rivals to the established NFL, though the leagues would later merge, with all AFL teams including the Chargers officially joining the NFL in 1970.

Every year during April, each NFL franchise seeks to add new players to its roster through a collegiate draft known as the NFL Player Selection Meeting, which is more commonly known as the NFL draft. The Chargers took part in the rival AFL draft for the first seven years of their existence, meaning that they had to compete for new players' signatures with whichever club had picked them in the NFL draft. Their first draft selection was Monty Stickles, an end from the University of Notre Dame. Unlike all future picks, he was not chosen by the Chargers themselves, but rather assigned in a territorial draft at a meeting of the AFL's original owners. Stickles never played for the Chargers as he chose to sign for the San Francisco 49ers instead; overall, the Chargers were unable to sign their first-round selection four times during their first seven years. After that, the two leagues conducted a common draft, ending the inter-league bidding war. Over a decade later, the original United States Football League (USFL) challenged the NFL by conducting its own collegiate drafts from 1983 to 1986. The Chargers temporarily lost two of their first-round picks (Gary Anderson and Mossy Cade) to USFL clubs, though both joined the NFL in 1985 as the USFL struggled financially.

In the NFL draft, teams are ranked in inverse order based on the previous season's record, with the worst record picking first, and the second worst picking second and so on. Teams have the option of trading away their picks to other teams for different picks, players, or a combination thereof. Thus, it is not uncommon for a team's actual draft pick to differ from their assigned draft pick, or for a team to have extra or no draft picks in any round due to these trades. The Chargers have been without a first-round pick eight times in their history, including six times in seven years from 1994 to 2000. They have possessed two first-round picks on seven different occasions; once, in 1983, they had three such picks.

The Chargers have twice been in possession of the No. 1 overall pick, though in neither case has the player selected played for them. In 2001, they traded the No. 1 pick to the Atlanta Falcons before the draft for three draft picks and one player; the Falcons selected Michael Vick, while the Chargers chose LaDainian Tomlinson with the No. 5 overall pick. In 2004, the projected No. 1 pick, Eli Manning, stated that he would not play in San Diego. The Chargers still selected him, but quickly traded the player to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers (who the Giants had just drafted at No. 4 overall) and three draft picks, one of which was used to select Shawne Merriman in the first round the following season.

Twenty-four of the Chargers's first round selections have been nominated for at least one Pro Bowl or AFL All-Star game; Junior Seau has the most such nominations, with twelve. Three have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Kellen Winslow, Seau and LaDainian Tomlinson.

The team's most recent first-round pick was Joe Alt, an offensive tackle from Notre Dame selected No. 5 overall in 2024. They have chosen 33 defensive players in the first round, and 32 offensive players; defensive linemen have been the most common position, with 13 selected. Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas, TCU and Notre Dame are tied for the most players chosen by the Chargers from one university, with three selections each.

Player selections

Key
^ Indicates the player was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
† Indicates the player was selected for the Pro Bowl or AFL All-Star game at any time in their career
* Selected number one overall
‡ Current Charger: statistics correct through 2022 season
— The Chargers did not draft a player in the first round that year.
Year Each year links to an article about that particular NFL Draft.
Pick Indicates the number of the pick within the first round
Position Indicates the position of the player in the NFL
College The player's college football team
Seasons The number of seasons in which the player had at least one appearance for the Chargers
Pro Bowls The number of seasons in which the player was voted to the Pro Bowl or AFL All-Star game as a Charger
Games Regular season games in which the player appeared for the Chargers
Starts Regular season games in which the player started for the Chargers
Position abbreviations
C Center
CB Cornerback
DE Defensive end
DT Defensive tackle
E End
FB Fullback
G Guard
LB Linebacker
QB Quarterback
RB Running back
S Safety
T Tackle
TE Tight end
WR Wide receiver
Los Angeles Chargers first-round draft picks
Year Pick Player name Position College Stats with Chargers Notes Ref
Seasons Pro Bowls Games Starts
1960 N/A Monty Stickles E Notre Dame 0 0 0 0 Territorial selection, assigned by the AFL's original owners. Signed for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers instead.
1961 7 Earl Faison † DE Indiana 6 5 67 64
1962 8 Bob Ferguson FB Ohio State 0 0 0 0 Signed for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
1963 2 Walt Sweeney † G Syracuse 11 9 154 140
1964 8 Ted Davis LB Georgia Tech 0 0 0 0 Signed for the NFL's Baltimore Colts
1965 6 Steve DeLong † DE Tennessee 7 1 89 75
1966 7 Don Davis DT Los Angeles State 0 0 0 0 Signed for the NFL's New York Giants
1967 14 Ron Billingsley DT Wyoming 4 0 44 25
1968 4 Russ Washington † T Missouri 15 5 200 196 Pick received in trade with Denver Broncos
18 Jim Hill CB Texas A&M–Kingsville 3 0 42 38
1969 9 Marty Domres QB Columbia 3 0 22 6 Pick received in trade with Denver Broncos
18 Bob Babich LB Miami (OH) 3 0 42 36
1970 15 Walker Gillette WR Richmond 2 0 25 1
1971 13 Leon Burns RB Long Beach State 1 0 14 4
1972 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Green Bay Packers
1973 25 Johnny Rodgers WR Nebraska 2 0 17 7 Original pick traded to Philadelphia Eagles. Acquired another first-round pick from the Colts in a separate trade. Initially signed for CFL's Montreal Alouettes. Joined the Chargers in 1977.
1974 2 Bo Matthews RB Colorado 6 0 78 31
15 Don Goode LB Kansas 6 0 81 62 Pick received in trade with Cleveland Browns
1975 8 Gary Johnson † DT Grambling State 10 4 134 123
22 Mike Williams CB LSU 8 0 107 101 Pick received in trade with Washington Redskins
1976 4 Joe Washington † RB Oklahoma 1 0 13 0
1977 24 Bob Rush C Memphis 5 0 70 12 Moved down the draft order in trade with Dallas Cowboys
1978 14 John Jefferson † WR Arizona State 3 3 45 45
1979 13 Kellen Winslow ^ TE Missouri 9 5 109 94 Moved up the draft order in trade with Cleveland Browns
1980 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Green Bay Packers
1981 24 James Brooks † RB Auburn 3 0 38 8
1982 — — No pick — — — — — — Initially moved up the draft order in trade with Green Bay Packers. Traded new first-round pick to the Saints 12 days later.
1983 5 Billy Ray Smith, Jr. LB Arkansas 10 0 126 111 Moved up the draft order in trade with San Francisco 49ers
20 Gary Anderson † RB Arkansas 4 1 54 38 Pick received in trade with Green Bay Packers. Initially signed for USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits. Joined the Chargers in 1985.
22 Gill Byrd † CB San Jose State 10 2 149 146 Pick initially traded to San Francisco 49ers. Regained in subsequent trade.
1984 6 Mossy Cade S Texas 0 0 0 0 Initially signed for USFL's Memphis Showboats. NFL signing rights later traded to Green Bay Packers.
1985 12 Jim Lachey † T Ohio State 3 1 44 43
1986 8 Leslie O'Neal † DE Oklahoma State 9 6 133 125 Acquired extra first-round pick in trade with Green Bay Packers. Subsequently moved up the draft order in trade with Minnesota Vikings.
13 James FitzPatrick T USC 4 0 38 14
1987 24 Rod Bernstine RB Texas A&M 6 0 63 25 Moved down the draft order in trade with Cleveland Browns
1988 15 Anthony Miller † WR Tennessee 6 4 93 91
1989 8 Burt Grossman DE Pittsburgh 5 0 72 71
1990 5 Junior Seau ^ LB USC 13 12 200 199
1991 9 Stanley Richard S Texas 4 0 61 60
1992 23 Chris Mims DE Tennessee 7 0 93 57 Original pick traded to Washington Redskins. Acquired another first-round pick from the Oilers in a separate trade.
1993 22 Darrien Gordon CB Stanford 3 0 48 29
1994 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to San Francisco 49ers
1995 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Carolina Panthers
1996 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Detroit Lions
1997 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1998 2 Ryan Leaf QB Washington State 2 0 21 18 Moved up the draft order in trade with Arizona Cardinals
1999 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Arizona Cardinals
2000 — — No pick — — — — — — Pick traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2001 5 LaDainian Tomlinson ^ RB TCU 9 5 141 141 Moved down the draft order in trade with Atlanta Falcons
2002 5 Quentin Jammer CB Texas 11 0 172 161
2003 30 Sammy Davis CB Texas A&M 3 0 44 30 Moved down the draft order in trade with Philadelphia Eagles
2004 1 Eli Manning*† QB Mississippi 0 0 0 0 Manning was traded to the New York Giants an hour after being drafted.
2005 12 Shawne Merriman † LB Maryland 6 3 60 53 Pick received in trade with New York Giants
28 Luis Castillo DE Northwestern 7 0 82 79
2006 19 Antonio Cromartie † CB Florida State 4 1 64 39
2007 30 Craig Davis WR LSU 4 0 25 2
2008 27 Antoine Cason CB Arizona 5 0 80 49
2009 16 Larry English LB Northern Illinois 5 0 52 9
2010 12 Ryan Mathews † RB Fresno State 5 1 60 52 Moved up the draft order in trade with Miami Dolphins
2011 18 Corey Liuget DT Illinois 8 0 108 103
2012 18 Melvin Ingram † DE South Carolina 9 3 113 96
2013 11 D. J. Fluker T Alabama 4 0 59 59
2014 25 Jason Verrett † CB TCU 4 1 25 22
2015 15 Melvin Gordon † RB Wisconsin 5 2 67 62 Moved up the draft order in trade with San Francisco 49ers
2016 3 Joey Bosa † ‡ DE Ohio State 8 4 93 84
2017 7 Mike Williams ‡ WR Clemson 7 0 88 62
2018 17 Derwin James † ‡ S Florida State 5 3 66 66
2019 28 Jerry Tillery DT Notre Dame 4 0 54 29
2020 6 Justin Herbert † ‡ QB Oregon 4 1 62 62
23 Kenneth Murray ‡ LB Oklahoma 4 0 59 53 Pick received in trade with New England Patriots
2021 13 Rashawn Slater † ‡ T Northwestern 3 1 36 36
2022 17 Zion Johnson ‡ G Boston College 2 0 32 32
2023 21 Quentin Johnston ‡ WR TCU 1 0 17 10
2024 5 Joe Alt ‡ T Notre Dame 0 0 0 0
Photograph of Kellen Winslow
The Chargers traded up to draft future Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow in 1979.
Photograph of Junior Seau
Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau was drafted No. 5 overall in 1990. He made 12 Pro Bowls in 13 seasons in San Diego.
Photograph of LaDainian Tomlinson
Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson was selected No. 5 overall by the Chargers in 2001.

Breakdowns

Breakdown by position
Position Count Most recent
Defensive line (DE, DL) 13 Jerry Tillery (2019)
Defensive back (CB, S) 12 Derwin James (2018)
Running back (FB, RB) 10 Melvin Gordon (2015)
Offensive line (C, G, T) 9 Joe Alt (2024)
Linebacker (LB) 8 Kenneth Murray (2020)
Wide receiver (WR) 7 Quentin Johnston (2023)
Quarterback (QB) 4 Justin Herbert (2020)
Tight end (E, TE) 2 Kellen Winslow (1979)

Footnotes

  1. ^ On August 15, 1967, the Chargers traded quarterback Steve Tensi to the Denver Broncos for first-round picks in the 1968 and 1969 drafts.
  2. ^ On June 23, 1971 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1972 NFL draft (No. 11 overall) to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kevin Hardy.
  3. ^ On July 31, 1972 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1973 NFL draft (No. 6) to the Philadelphia Eagles for linebacker Tim Rossovich.
  4. ^ On August 7, 1972 the Chargers traded quarterback Marty Domres to the Baltimore Colts for a first-round pick in the 1973 NFL draft and tight end John Andrews.
  5. ^ On September 5, 1973, the Chargers traded a fourth-round pick in the 1975 draft and linebacker Bob Babich to the Cleveland Browns for a first-round pick in the 1974 draft and a second-round pick in the 1975 draft.
  6. ^ On July 19, 1973, the Chargers traded running back Duane Thomas to Washington Redskins for a first-round pick in the 1975 draft and a second-round pick in the 1976 draft.
  7. ^ On August 30, 1976, the Chargers traded their first-round (No. 14) and second-round picks in the 1977 draft for the Dallas Cowboys' first-round pick in the 1977 draft (No. 24) and quarterback Clint Longley
  8. ^ On May 3, 1979, the Chargers traded their first-round (No. 20) and second-round picks in the 1979 draft to the Cleveland Browns for their first-round pick in the 1979 draft (No. 13).
  9. ^ On April 26, 1979 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1980 NFL draft (No. 26 overall) and a seventh-round pick in 1979 to the Green Bay Packers for cornerback Willie Buchanon.
  10. ^ On September 17, 1981, the Chargers traded wide receiver John Jefferson to the Green Bay Packers for the right to swap picks in the first round of the 1982 draft (this option was exercised, as San Diego had pick No. 22 and Green Bay had pick No. 13), a 1983 first-round pick, a 1982 second-round pick, a 1984 second-round pick and wide receiver Aundra Thompson
  11. ^ On September 29, 1981, the Chargers a 1982 first-round pick, a 1982 third-round pick and wide receiver Aundra Thompson to the New Orleans Saints for wide receiver Wes Chandler.
  12. ^ On October 2, 1981, the Chargers traded defensive end Fred Dean to the San Francisco 49ers for the right to swap picks in the first round of the 1983 draft (this option was exercised, as San Diego had pick No. 22 and San Francisco had pick No. 5), and a second-round pick in the 1983 draft.
  13. ^ On April 22, 1983 the Chargers traded a pair of second-round picks in the 1983 NFL draft to the San Francisco 49ers for a first-round pick in the 1983 draft.
  14. ^ On August 30, 1985 the Chargers traded Mossy Cade to the Green Bay Packers for a first-round pick in the 1986 draft and a conditional pick in the 1987 draft (this became a fifth-round pick).
  15. ^ On April 26, 1986, the Chargers traded their first-round (No. 14) and second-round picks in the 1986 draft to the Minnesota Vikings for their first-round (No. 8) and third-round picks in the 1986 draft.
  16. ^ On April 28, 1987, the Chargers traded their first-round (No. 5) and second-round picks in the 1987 draft for the Cleveland Browns' first-round (No. 24) and second-round picks in the 1987 draft and linebacker Chip Banks.
  17. ^ On April 21, 1991 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1992 NFL draft (No. 6) to Washington Redskins for a second-round pick in the 1991 draft and a fifth-round pick in the 1992 draft.
  18. ^ On August 7, 1972 the Chargers traded defensive end Lee Williams to the Houston Oilers for a first-round pick in the 1992 NFL draft and wide receiver Shawn Jefferson.
  19. ^ On April 25, 1993 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1994 NFL draft (No. 15 overall) to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick in the 1993 draft.
  20. ^ On April 22, 1995 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1995 NFL draft (No. 29 overall) to the Carolina Panthers for their second, third and fourth-round picks in the 1995 draft.
  21. ^ On April 22, 1995 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft (No. 21 overall) to the Detroit Lions for a second-round pick in the 1995 draft.
  22. ^ On April 20, 1996 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 1997 NFL draft (No. 16 overall) to the Buccaneers for a second-round pick in the 1996 draft.
  23. ^ On March 12, 1998, the Chargers traded their first-round (No. 3) and second-round picks in the 1998 draft, their first-round pick (No. 8) in the 1999 draft, wide receiver Eric Metcalf and linebacker Patrick Sapp to the Arizona Cardinals for their first-round pick in the 1998 draft (No. 2).
  24. ^ On April 18, 1998 the Chargers traded their first-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft (No. 13 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a second-round pick in the 1998 draft.
  25. ^ On April 20, 2001, the Chargers traded their first-round pick (No. 1) in the 2001 draft to the Atlanta Falcons for their first-round (No. 5) and third-round picks in the 2001 draft, their second-round pick in the 2002 draft, and wide receiver Tim Dwight.
  26. ^ On April 26, 2003 the Chargers traded their first-round (No. 15) pick in the 2003 draft for the Philadelphia Eagles' first (No. 30) and second-round picks in the 2003 draft.
  27. ^ On April 24, 2004 the Chargers traded the signing rights for No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning to the New York Giants for the signing rights to No. 4 overall pick Philip Rivers, a third-round pick in the 2004 draft, a first-round pick (No. 12) in the 2005 draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2005 draft.
  28. ^ On April 22, 2010, the Chargers traded their first (No. 28), second and fourth-round picks in the 2010 draft and linebacker Tim Dobbins to the Miami Dolphins for their first (No. 12), fourth and sixth-round picks in the 2010 draft.
  29. ^ On April 30, 2015 the Chargers traded their first (No. 17) and fourth-round picks in the 2015 draft and their fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft to the San Francisco 49ers for their first-round pick (No. 15) in the 2015 draft.
  30. ^ On April 23, 2020 the Chargers traded their second and third-round picks in the 2020 draft to the New England Patriots for their first-round pick in the 2020 draft.