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
