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),[1] switched cities to San Diego the following season,[2] and returned to Los Angeles in 2017.[3] 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.[4]
![Photograph of Justin Herbert](../I/Justin_Herbert_2021.jpg.webp)
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.[5][6] 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.[7] Their first draft selection was Monty Stickles, an end from the University of Notre Dame.[8] 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.[9] 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.[4] Over a decade later, the original United States Football League (USFL) challenged the NFL by conducting its own collegiate drafts from 1983 to 1986.[10][11] 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.[12]
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.[5] Teams have the option of trading away their picks to other teams for different picks, players, or a combination thereof.[5] 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.[5] 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 Quentin Johnston, a wide receiver from TCU selected No. 21 overall in 2023. They have chosen 33 defensive players in the first round, and 31 offensive players; defensive linemen have been the most common position, with 13 selected. Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas and TCU 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 |
![Photograph of Kellen Winslow](../I/Kellen_Winslow_Sr_cropped.jpg.webp)
![Photograph of Junior Seau](../I/Junior_Seau_1994_(draft_crop).jpg.webp)
![Photograph of LaDainian Tomlinson](../I/LTByPhilKonstantin.jpg.webp)
Breakdowns
College | Count | Most recent |
---|---|---|
Ohio State | 3 | Joey Bosa (2016) |
Tennessee | 3 | Chris Mims (1992) |
Texas | 3 | Quentin Jammer (2002) |
TCU | 3 | Quentin Johnston (2023) |
Arkansas | 2 | Gary Anderson (1983) |
Florida State | 2 | Derwin James (2018) |
LSU | 2 | Craig Davis (2007) |
Missouri | 2 | Kellen Winslow (1979) |
Northwestern | 2 | Rashawn Slater (2021) |
Notre Dame | 2 | Jerry Tillery (2019) |
Oklahoma | 2 | Kenneth Murray (2020) |
Texas A&M | 2 | Sammy Davis (2003) |
USC | 2 | Junior Seau (1990) |
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) |
Linebacker (LB) | 8 | Kenneth Murray (2020) |
Offensive line (C, G, T) | 8 | Zion Johnson (2022) |
Wide receiver (WR) | 7 | Quentin Johnston (2023) |
Quarterback (QB) | 4 | Justin Herbert (2020) |
Tight end (E, TE) | 2 | Kellen Winslow (1979) |
Footnotes
- On August 15, 1967, the Chargers traded quarterback Steve Tensi to the Denver Broncos for first-round picks in the 1968 and 1969 drafts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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).
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 1994 draft.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
References
- Whorton, Cal (August 8, 1960). "Houston Next Hurdle for Chargers". Los Angeles Times. p. IV-3.
- "San Diego Officially Owns Charger Eleven". Escondido Times-Advocate. UPI. 11 February 1961. p. 8.
- Beacham, Greg (31 July 2017). "Chargers open camp with hopes of support". Carlisle Sentinel. AP. p. B2.
- Schramm, Tex (June 20, 1966). "Here's how it happened". Sports Illustrated: 14. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- "The rules of the draft". nfl.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- Breech, John. "Bold predictions for the NFL Draft, plus best bets for first round and a final mock draft". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- Lewis, Dave (31 December 1960). "NFL has AFL ready for kill". Long Beach Independent. p. B-1.
"NFL takes big lead in AFL draft battle". New York Daily News. 14 December 1963.
"Alworth signs with Chargers under goal posts". Escondido Times-Advocate. UPI. January 2, 1962. p. 11. - "Territorial Draft". Los Angeles Times. 23 November 1959. p. IV-4.
- "The AFL's first draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame. October 28, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- "This draft not like NFL version". Birmingham Post-Herald. Press reports. January 3, 1983. p. B1.
- "Tuesday's USFL draft is anticlimactic". Tampa Bay Times. AP. 4 May 1986. p. 6C.
- Goldberg, Dave (21 July 1985). "NFL is taking advantage of USFL's financial woes". Central New Jersey Home News. AP. p. D5.
- "Monty Stickles stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- "Territorial Draft". Los Angeles Times. November 23, 1959.
- "Blow at Hunt's AFL Citadel". Los Angeles Times. December 2, 1959.
- "Earl Faison stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Chargers sign Faison, Lincoln". Miami Herald. AP. January 2, 1961. p. 4-C.
- "Bob Ferguson stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- Livingston, Pat (December 12, 1961). "Luck helped Steelers nab Bob Ferguson". Pittsburgh Press. p. 40.
- "Walt Sweeney stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- "Chargers nip Browns, sign Orange end". Long Beach Independent. December 9, 1962. p. C-2.
- "Ted Davis stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- "NFL out front in race to sign grid stars". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. January 12, 1963.
- "Steve DeLong stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- Rathet, Mike (December 2, 1964). "AFL Chargers ink Steve DeLong". Hattiesburg American. AP. p. 9.
- "Don Davis stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- "NFL teams beat San Diego to first three draft choices". Boston Globe. AP. December 17, 1965. p. 34.
- "Ron Billingsley stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- "Chargers sign Wyoming star". Bellingham Herald. UPI. March 16, 1967. p. 12.
- "Russ Washington stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Chargers send Steve Tensi to Denver". Fresno Bee. AP. 16 August 1967. p. 6-B.
- "Gillman likes new Charger". Escondido Times-Advocate. UPI. 20 May 1968.
- "Jim Hill stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Chargers sign Hill". Scranton Times-Tribune. AP. 15 April 1968. p. 17.
- "Marty Domres stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- Beck, Charlie (29 January 1969). "Calling all sports". Paterson Morning Call. p. 21.
- "Bob Babich stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "California teams bolster ranks in draft selections". Fresno Bee. AP and UPI. 29 January 1969. p. 3-D.
- "Walker Gillette stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Chargers draft Richmond star". Contra Costa Times. AP. 28 January 1970. p. 1C.
- "Leon Burns stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Complete football draft". San Rafael Daily Independent Journal. UPI. 30 January 1971. p. 22.
- "Pack Sends Kevin Hardy To Chargers". Playground Daily News. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Johnny Rodgers stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Eagles trade Rossovich". Philadelphia Daily News. 1 August 1972. p. 58.
- "Chargers trade Marty Domres". Billings Gazette. AP. 8 August 1972. p. 15.
- "Chargers pick Heisman winner Johnny Rodgers". Casa Grande Dispatch. AP. 31 January 1973. p. 10.
- "Johnny Rodgers signs with Canadian Football League". St. Joseph Gazette. AP. May 25, 1973. p. 2B.
- "Chargers may get Rodgers". Corpus Christi Times. January 3, 1977. p. 13A.
- "Bo Matthews stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Chargers go for fullback as 1st choice". Escondido Times-Advocate. 29 January 1974. p. A-10.
- "Don Goode stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Lindsey retires; Browns acquire Bob Babich". Greenville Daily Advocate. UPI. 6 September 1973. p. 13.
- "NFL signs Goode". Terra Haute Tribune. UPI. 26 February 1974. p. 10.
- "Gary Johnson stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "Chargers go all out for defense". Escondido Times-Advocate. 29 January 1975.
- "Mike Williams stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Duane Thomas' 'career' ends". Great Bend Tribune. AP. 20 July 1975. p. 6.
- "Joe Washington stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers delighted with draft". Escondido Times-Advocate. 9 April 1976.
- "Bob Rush stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Clint Longley happy over San Diego deal". Newport News Daily Press. AP. 1 September 1976. p. 34.
"1977 NFL draft pick transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved 3 May 2022. - Washer, Gene (4 May 1977). "Sports editor". Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. p. 17.
- "John Jefferson stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Distel, Dave (3 May 1978). "Chargers top draft choice is confident man". Los Angeles Times. p. III-1.
- "Kellen Winslow stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Distel, Dave (4 May 1979). "Fast deal made with the Browns". Los Angeles Times. pp. III-1, III-8.
- "Packers trade Willie Buchanon". Wausau Daily Herald. AP. 26 April 1979. p. 20.
- "James Brooks stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Maffei, John (28 April 1981). "Chargers tab return specialist in first round". Escondido Times-Advocate. p. D-2.
- "Packers get John Jefferson". Pasco Tri-City Herald. AP. 18 September 1981. p. 20.
"1982 NFL draft pick transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved 4 May 2022. - "Saints trade Chandler". St. Joseph News-Press. AP. 30 September 1981. p. 1D.
- "Billy Ray Smith stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "San Diego's Fred Dean traded to San Francisco". Palm Beach Post. Post Wire Services. 3 October 1983. p. D6.
- Byrd, Jerry (27 April 1983). "Baltimore Dolts". Shreveport Journal. p. 1-C.
- "Gary Anderson stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Distel, Dave (10 May 1983). "Argovitz the bandit, Chargers say". Pittsburgh Press. Los Angeles Times Service. p. C-3.
- "Chargers finally sign Gary Anderson". Great Falls Tribune. AP. 1 October 1985. p. 2-B.
- "Gill Byrd stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers, 49ers swap picks". Twin Falls Times-News. UPI. 23 April 1983. p. D-3.
- "Mossy Cade stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Cade joins USFL Showboats". Austin American-Statesman. AP. 4 October 1984. p. G12.
- "Packers acquire Mossy Cade". Stevens Point Journal. AP. 6 September 1985. p. 13.
"1986 NFL draft pick transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved 5 May 2022. - "Jim Lachey stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers sign top draft pick". Redding Record Searchlight. AP. 29 July 1985. p. C-4.
- "Leslie O'Neal stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "A real deal". La Crosse Tribune. AP. 29 April 1986. p. 21.
- Distel, Dave (30 April 1986). "No need to explain and defend Chargers' first round pick". Los Angeles Times. pp. III-1, III-8, III-9.
- "James FitzPatrick stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Rod Bernstine stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Posner, Jay (29 April 1987). "Even Spanos is happy with draft". Escondido Times-Advocate. pp. D1, D2.
- "Anthony Miller stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Posner, Jay (25 April 1988). "A quick look at the Chargers' early picks". Escondido Times-Advocate. p. C2.
- "Burt Grossman stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers land Pitt's Grossman". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. 24 April 1989. p. C2.
- "Junior Seau stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Ooley, Geoffrey (23 April 1990). "Oceanside High grad made county's highest draftee ever". North County Times. pp. C-1, C-3.
- "Stanley Richard stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Richard finally signs with Chargers". North County Times. 4 August 1991.
- "Chris Mims stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Free safety Richard taken first". North County Times. 22 April 1991. pp. C-1, C-6.
- "Oilers swap first-rounder, receiver". North County Times. 23 August 1991. pp. C-1, C-2.
- "Vols' defensive end is top pick". North County Times. 27 April 1992. pp. C-1, C-8.
- "Darrien Gordon stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Glauber, Bill (28 April 1993). "NFL draft analysis: rating the teams". Austin American-Statesman. p. C6.
"Team-by-team NFL draft analysis". Temecula Californian. 26 April 1993. p. B-3. - Ooley, Geoffrey (23 April 1995). "No surprise: Beathard surprises". Escondido Times-Advocate. pp. C1, C4.
- Paris, Jay (21 April 1996). "Beathard's apparent No. 1 rule: no No.1 draft picks". North County Times. p. C-8.
- "Ryan Leaf stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Story, Paula (13 March 1998). "Chargers get Cards' draft pick". Arizona Republic. AP. p. C1.
- "QBs, DBs dominate deep draft". St. Cloud Times. AP. 20 April 1998. p. 4B.
- Sullivan, Mike (19 April 1998). "Beathard still dealing". North County Times. pp. C-1, C-2.
- "LaDainian Tomlinson stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Norwood, Robyn (22 April 2001). "Chargers quite cool with Brees". Los Angeles Times. p. C-4 – via Modesto Bee.
- "Quentin Jammer stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilson, Bernie (21 April 2002). "Chargers pick Texas star CB Jammer with fifth pick". Palm Springs Desert Sun. p. C7.
- "Sammy Davis stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Brookover, Bob (27 April 2003). "What were they thinking?". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D19.
- "Eli Manning stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "QB drama highlights day". Chicago Tribune. 25 April 2004. p. C5 – via Victorville Press Dispatch.
- "Shawne Merriman stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Thomas, Jim (1 May 2005). "Grading the NFL draft". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. C4.
- "Luis Castillo stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Antonio Cromartie stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilson, Bernie (30 April 2006). "Chargers tab CB Cromartie". Palm Springs Desert Sun. p. C6.
- "Craig Davis stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilson, Bernie (29 April 2007). "Turner still with San Diego". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. p. C8.
- "Antoine Cason stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilson, Bernie (27 April 2008). "Chargers take Arizona CB Cason with 27th pick". San Luis Obispo Tribune. AP. p. S6.
- "Larry English stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilson, Bernie (26 April 2009). "San Diego picks a linebacker from Northern Illinois". San Luis Obispo Tribune. AP. p. S3.
- "Ryan Mathews stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers give up bounty for Fresno State RB Mathews". Visalia Times-Delta. AP. 23 April 2010. p. 4B.
- "Corey Liuget stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers, first-rounder Liuget agree". Fresno Bee. AP. 5 August 2011. p. C6.
- "Melvin Ingram stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilson, Bernie (27 April 2012). "Chargers select defensive end Ingram to play linebacker". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. p. C2.
- "D.J. Fluker stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Raiders, 49ers beef up secondaries". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. 26 April 2013. p. C7.
- "Jason Verrett stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Falcons pick A&M tackle". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. AP. 9 May 2014. p. 7C.
- "Melvin Gordon stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Wilner, Barry (1 May 2015). "Winston, Mariota go 1-2 in NFL draft". Santa Maria Times. AP. p. D4.
- "Joey Bosa stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Chargers take Ohio State's Bosa". Visalia Times-Delta. AP. 29 April 2016. p. 5B.
- "Mike Williams stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Woike, Dan (28 April 2017). "Chargers' surprising choice at No. 7 is Clemson's Williams". Los Angeles Times. pp. D1, D5.
- "Derwin James stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Beacham, Greg (27 April 2018). "LA Chargers grab safety Derwin James in first round". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. p. 5C.
- "Jerry Tillery stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Miller, Jeff (27 April 2019). "Tillery eager to start his 'dream job'". Los Angeles Times. p. D6.
- "Justin Herbert stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Reedy, Joe (26 April 2020). "Chargers won't put pressure on Herbert to start immediately". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. p. 2B.
- "Kenneth Murray stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Rashawn Slater stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- Reedy, Joe (4 May 2021). "Chargers continue rebuilding offensive line through draft". Palm Springs Desert Sun. AP. p. 2B.
- "Zion Johnson stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Zion Johnson reveals inside info on journey to become Chargers' new starting guard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- "Quentin Johnston stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- "Chargers Draft Quentin Johnston with 21st Overall Pick". chargers.com. April 27, 2023.