Los Angeles Chargers: 2016 NFL Draft Retrospective
By Jason Reed
With the 2020 NFL Draft fast approaching, we have been breaking down how the Los Angeles Chargers have performed, using hindsight, in the last 10 drafts.
The Los Angeles Chargers have important decisions to make in the 2020 NFL Draft as chances are that the team will select the future of the quarterback position, which is going to alter the next 5-10 years of the franchise.
Luckily for Charger fans, they can take solace in knowing that the Chargers often do pretty well at drafting. We have already broken down the 2017-2019 NFL Draft and very few prospects received failing grades, and most of the time, they failed because of injury.
The Chargers headed into the 2016 NFL Draft coming off of a 4-12 record and were heading into the team’s last year in San Diego. Here is how the front office did as Roger Goodell called the “San Diego Chargers” in the draft for the last time.
2016 NFL Draft Retrospective:
- Draft order location: Third
- Selections: Eight
- Pro Bowls: Two
- All-Pros: Zero
- Trades: Chargers traded 2015 first and fourth-round picks and 2016 fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2015 first-round pick; Minnesota Vikings traded 2016 sixth-round pick for Jeremiah Sirles.
First-round selection: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Things did not get off on the right foot between Joey Bosa and the Chargers as the two disagreed what Bosa’s rookie contract should look like, with the team eventually giving in to Bosa’s contract demands.
After that it has been smooth sailing for Bosa and the Chargers. While he did miss four games in his rookie year and nine games in 2018, Bosa has been a force for the Chargers and is one of the best left ends in the entire league.
Bosa was a Pro Bowler in both of his full seasons and if you compare his 2017 to Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald‘s 2017, you could make the case that Bosa is DPOY worthy.
- Grade: A+
- Could have selected: Ezekiel Elliott, Jalen Ramsey, DeForest Buckner