Los Angeles Chargers: 2016 NFL Draft Retrospective
By Jason Reed
![Joey Bosa of the LA Chargers (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) Joey Bosa of the LA Chargers (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fboltbeat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2020-2F03-2F1178807368-850x560-bcad866746d70a2166f8a3bc38bbbbc8.jpg)
Rounds 2-4:
Second-round selection: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
Hunter Henry has blossomed into one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league and when he hits the free-agent market he is going to get a hefty contract. The Chargers prevented that from happening by franchise tagging Henry for 2020, but after 2020, the team is going to have to pay up.
And they should, as long as Henry can put together a full season in 2020. Henry’s biggest drawback is his injury history but when he is on the field he is one of the best tight ends in the league.
There were some notable players selected after Henry, but with all things considered, the Chargers hit the ball out of the park in both the first and second round.
- Grade: A+
- Could have drafted: Myles Jack, Chris Jones, Xavien Howard
Third-round selection: Max Tuerk, C, USC
After hitting back-to-back home runs to start of the draft the Los Angeles Chargers struck out looking on three pitches in the third round by taking hometown center, Max Tuerk.
Tuerk did not play at all his rookie season and then was suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the NFL’s policy on performing enhancing substances. The Chargers released him and he only played one NFL snap in his career.
- Grade: F
- Could have drafted: Yannick Ngakoue, Joe Thuney
Fourth-round selection: Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
From back-to-back home runs to back-to-back strikeouts. Unlike Max Tuerk, Joshua Perry actually appeared in games for the Los Angeles Chargers. Like Tuerk, he had little impact with the franchise and was released in 2017.
Perry showed some promise in his rookie year as a special teams player but was not tremendous. After getting hurt and being placed on the IR prior to the 2017 season, the Chargers waived Perry. Perry tried getting back into the game with the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks but ultimately retired early because of concussion concerns.
- Grade: F
- Could have drafted: Tavon Young, Nick Kwiatkoski, De’Vondre Campbell