Best draft picks in Los Angeles Chargers history
Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Los Angeles Chargers history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Leslie O'Neal (1986, Round 1, Pick 8)
- Position: DE
- Career wAV: 89
- Pro Bowls: 6
- First-Team All-Pro: 0
- Games Played: 196
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#9. Trent Green (1993, Round 8, Pick 222)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 94
- Pro Bowls: 2
- First-Team All-Pro: 0
- Games Played: 120
- Seasons as Starter: 7
#8. Bobby Boyd (1960, Round , Pick )
- Position: DB
- Career wAV: 95
- Pro Bowls: 2
- First-Team All-Pro: 3
- Games Played: 121
- Seasons as Starter: 9
#7. Jimmy Johnson (1961, Round 4, Pick 32)
- Position: DB
- Career wAV: 103
- Pro Bowls: 5
- First-Team All-Pro: 3
- Games Played: 213
- Seasons as Starter: 16
#6. John Hadl (1962, Round 3, Pick 24)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 106
- Pro Bowls: 6
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 224
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#5. Eli Manning (2004, Round 1, Pick 1)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 121
- Pro Bowls: 4
- First-Team All-Pro: 0
- Games Played: 236
- Seasons as Starter: 14
#4. Dan Fouts (1973, Round 3, Pick 64)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 123
- Pro Bowls: 6
- First-Team All-Pro: 2
- Games Played: 181
- Seasons as Starter: 14
#3. LaDainian Tomlinson (2001, Round 1, Pick 5)
- Position: RB
- Career wAV: 129
- Pro Bowls: 5
- First-Team All-Pro: 3
- Games Played: 170
- Seasons as Starter: 10
#2. Junior Seau (1990, Round 1, Pick 5)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 133
- Pro Bowls: 12
- First-Team All-Pro: 6
- Games Played: 268
- Seasons as Starter: 16
#1. Drew Brees (2001, Round 2, Pick 32)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 167
- Pro Bowls: 13
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 287
- Seasons as Starter: 19
