For the better part of their history, the Los Angeles Chargers have been a competitive football team, and a flourishing record of first-round NFL Draft picks has a lot to do with that. The Chargers have experienced their ups and downs in Round 1, but overall, they’ve gathered the necessary talent to set a strong foundation generation after generation.
Los Angeles Chargers First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
The Chargers have one of the more intriguing team histories when it comes to first-round picks in the NFL Draft. Despite being around since 1961, the Chargers have only picked three future Hall of Famers in Round 1 and didn’t select their first one until 1979.
From 1994 to 2000, the Chargers only had one total first-round pick: Quarterback Ryan Leaf, who’s recognized as one of the biggest NFL Draft busts in league history. Luckily, the Chargers were able to bounce back with the LaDainian Tomlinson selection in 2001. And in recent years, players like Justin Herbert and Joey Bosa have helped revitalize the franchise.
It’s worth noting that Philip Rivers was the QB the Chargers ended up with in 2004, but they originally selected Eli Manning before swapping him to the New York Giants in exchange for Rivers.
2024
- Joe Alt | Pick 5
OT, Notre Dame
2023
- Quentin Johnston | Pick 21
WR, TCU
2022
- Zion Johnson | Pick 17
G, Boston College
2021
- Rashawn Slater | Pick 13
OT, Northwestern
2020
- Justin Herbert | Pick 6
QB, Oregon - Kenneth Murray | Pick 23
LB, Oklahoma
2019
- Jerry Tillery | Pick 28
DT, Notre Dame
2018
- Derwin James | Pick 17
S, Florida State
2017
- Mike Williams | Pick 7
WR, Clemson
2016
- Joey Bosa | Pick 3
DE, Ohio State
2015
- Melvin Gordon | Pick 15
RB, Wisconsin
2014
- Jason Verrett | Pick 25
DB, TCU
2013
- D.J. Fluker | Pick 11
OT, Alabama
2012
- Melvin Ingram | Pick 18
DE, South Carolina
2011
- Corey Liuget | Pick 18
DT, Illinois
2010
- Ryan Mathews | Pick 12
RB, Fresno State
2009
- Larry English | Pick 16
LB, Northern Illinois
2008
- Antoine Cason | Pick 27
DB, Arizona
2007
- Craig Davis | Pick 30
WR, LSU
2006
- Antonio Cromartie | Pick 19
DB, Florida State
2005
- Shawne Merriman | Pick 12
LB, Maryland - Luis Castillo | Pick 28
DE, Northwestern
2004
- Eli Manning | Pick 1
QB, Mississippi
Manning was immediately traded to the New York Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers.
2003
- Sammy Davis | Pick 30
DB, Texas A&M
2002
- Quentin Jammer | Pick 5
DB, Texas
2001
- LaDainian Tomlinson* | Pick 5
RB, TCU
2000
The Chargers traded the 13th pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1999
The Chargers traded the eighth pick to the Arizona Cardinals.
1998
- Ryan Leaf | Pick 2
QB, Washington State
1997
The Chargers traded the 16th pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1996
The Chargers traded the 21st pick to the Detroit Lions.
1995
The Chargers traded the 29th pick to the Carolina Panthers.
1994
The Chargers traded the 15th pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
1993
- Darrien Gordon | Pick 22
DB, Stanford
1992
- Chris Mims | Pick 23
DE, Tennessee
1991
- Stanley Richard | Pick 9
DB, Texas
1990
- Junior Seau* | Pick 5
LB, USC
1989
- Burt Grossman | Pick 8
DE, Pittsburgh
1988
- Anthony Miller | Pick 15
WR, Tennessee
1987
- Rod Bernstine | Pick 24
RB, Texas A&M
1986
- Leslie O’Neal | Pick 8
DE, Oklahoma State - James FitzPatrick | Pick 13
OT, USC
1985
- Jim Lachey | Pick 12
OT, Ohio State
1984
- Mossy Cade | Pick 6
DB, Texas
1983
- Billy Ray Smith | Pick 5
LB, Arkansas - Gary Anderson | Pick 20
RB, Arkansas - Gill Byrd | Pick 22
DB, San Jose State
1982
The Chargers traded the 22nd pick to the Green Bay Packers.
1981
- James Brooks | Pick 24
RB, Auburn
1980
The Chargers traded the 26th pick to the Green Bay Packers.
1979
- Kellen Winslow* | Pick 13
TE, Missouri
1978
- John Jefferson | Pick 14
WR, Arizona State
1977
- Bob Rush | Pick 24
C, Memphis
1976
- Joe Washington | Pick 4
RB, Oklahoma
1975
- Gary Johnson | Pick 8
DT, Grambling State - Mike Williams | Pick 22
DB, LSU
1974
- Bo Matthews | Pick 2
RB, Colorado - Don Goode | Pick 15
LB, Kansas
1973
- Johnny Rodgers | Pick 25
WR, Nebraska
1972
The Chargers traded the 11th pick to the Green Bay Packers.
1971
- Leon Burns | Pick 13
RB, Long Beach State
1970
- Walker Gillette | Pick 15
WR, Richmond
1969
- Marty Domres | Pick 9
QB, Columbia - Bob Babich | Pick 18
LB, Miami (OH)
1968
- Russ Washington | Pick 4
OT, Missouri - Jim Hill | Pick 18
DB, Texas A&M-Kingsville
1967
- Ron Billingsley | Pick 14
DT, Wyoming
1966
- Don Davis | Pick 7
DT, Los Angeles State
1965
- Steve DeLong | Pick 6
DE, Tennessee
1964
- Ted Davis | Pick 8
LB, Georgia Tech
1963
- Walt Sweeney | Pick 2
G, Syracuse
1962
- Bob Ferguson | Pick 8
FB, Ohio State
1961
- Earl Faison | Pick 7
DE, Indiana
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame