Chargers general manager Tom Telesco is entering his seventh draft with the team since taking over in 2013. It’s safe to say that he’s fared well in each one of them even though he’s had some misses.
With the anticipation continuing to build heading into the 2019 NFL draft and many wondering who he will select, we decided to look back on all of his first-round selections, ranking them from the worst to the best.
No. 6 G D.J. Fluker
Fluker was Telesco’s first selection, and his career got off to a solid start. He played right tackle in 2013 for 15 games, earning a spot on the NFL’s All-Rookie Team.
However, things took a turn for the worse in his second season. While Fluker played every game in 2014, his production sharply declined, so the Chargers decided to move him inside to right guard.
That plan didn’t go well either, as Fluker struggled at the position for two consecutive seasons. The Bolts finished with the 31st-ranked offensive line in 2016, surrendering 36 sacks.
The team parted ways with him after his four-year contract ended.
No. 5 CB Jason Verrett
One of the more debated topics in the 2014 draft was between cornerbacks Bradley Roby and Jason Verrett. When the Chargers were on the clock, they ultimately decided to go with Verrett.
The start of Verrett’s career was all sunshine and rainbows. He broke out in his second season with 12 passes defensed and three interceptions. He was named to the 2015 Pro Bowl for his efforts.
Since that, lower-body injuries stopped him from seeing the field for more than four games in a season. Verrett’s tenure with the team came to an end in March when he was signed with the 49ers.
Verrett was never a bad player by any means, and it wouldn’t be right to call him a bust, but the durability concerns were huge given his size right out of the gate.
No. 4 WR Mike Williams
The Chargers didn’t necessarily have a huge need at the wide receiver position in 2017, but they ultimately went with Williams at No. 7.
Williams had a slump in his first season. The Clemson product dealt with a back injury throughout the course of the year, and failed to live up to his expectations. Even when he played, he was underwhelming, to say the least.
This past season, the big-bodied wideout showcased the reason why they spent their first-round pick on him. Williams totaled 11 touchdowns, good for fifth among all wide receivers in the NFL.
His 664 receiving yards ranked No. 2 on the team behind Keenan Allen, and Williams’ three-touchdown performance (with a two-point conversion) against the Chiefs helped end the Bolts’ losing streak to Kansas City.
Despite the stellar 2018 campaign, Williams will have to prove that he can keep the momentum building in his third year.
No. 3 RB Melvin Gordon
In the 2015 NFL draft, the Chargers jumped up two spots to grab Gordon with the No. 15 overall selection. Many questioned the decision to address running back in Round 1 when the offensive line was an issue that year as well.
He seemed to be a bust after a rookie year that included six fumbles, but he has been more productive, showing progression year to year. There’s no denying that he has established himself as a No. 1 running back and a valuable piece for an offense through his first four years in the NFL.
His production has increased yearly statistically and style of play, but his inability to make it through an entire 16-game schedule healthy can be slightly concerning. He has missed at least two games in three of his first four seasons.
No. 2 DE Joey Bosa
The Chargers had a few options to choose from in the 2016 NFL draft with many thinking the pick was going to be cornerback Jalen Ramsey, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley or defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. They ultimately surprised many with the selection of Bosa.
Bosa was a dominant force his rookie campaign, amassing 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. For his efforts, he was named Rookie of the Year after that season. The Ohio State product followed that up with a 12.5-sack year.
A foot injury hampered Bosa in a big way for much of the 2018 season. He only appeared in seven games, starting six. Despite that, he posted 5.5 sacks during the regular season and another in the playoff game against the Ravens.
One of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL, Bosa will once more be a quarterback’s worst nightmare next season and many years down the road if he is able to stay away from the nagging injuries.
No. 1 Safety Derwin James
The Chargers saw their dreams come true when James fell to their lap at No. 17 overall in the 2018 NFL draft.
For a defense that needed a true tone-setter, adding James was the perfect addition. Not only did he do what he was required to do at the safety position, but he did everything else, whether it was blitzing, stopping the run or covering positional players.
James played in the Pro Bowl and was voted first-team All-Pro. Along with that, he helped the defense ranks as a top-10 unit in the league. It’s safe to say that he’s already one of the best safeties in the game and could be near the top overall players in his second year.
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