Los Angeles Chargers: 2015 NFL Draft retrospective

Rounds 5 & 6:

Fifth-round selection: Kyle Emanuel, LB, North Dakota State

Like Denzel Perryman, Kyle Emanuel was a valuable rotational linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers. Unlike Perryman, though, this was Emanuel playing above his expectations as a fifth-round pick.

Emanuel was not on the field as much as Perryman, as he only had one season in which he played in more than half the defensive snaps. But for what the selection was, fans could not be upset with the impact that Emanuel had on the team.

After four years in the NFL, Emanuel announced his retirement. Emanuel did not cite a specific reason but did state that the injuries played a part. He could have signed elsewhere as a free agent anyway, so what the Chargers got out of a fifth-round pick was not bad.

• Grade: B
• Could have drafted: Tyeler Davison, Jesse James

Sixth-round selection: Darius Philon, DT, Arkansas

Darius Philon is another draft pick that is no longer with the Los Angeles Chargers. In his first two seasons with the Chargers, Philon was simply a depth defensive tackle that played only a quarter of the team’s defensive snaps.

However, that jumped up to 49 percent in his third season and 59 percent in his fourth season. He was not a spectacular defensive tackle but he was serviceable in his role.

Philon signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals after the 2018 season but was released after being arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Philon was released from jail.

As a Charger, he was fine for a sixth-round pick.

• Grade: C
• Could have drafted: Quandre Diggs, Darren Waller

Overall draft grade: C-

The Melvin Gordon trade was not a bad one as the team did not give up too much draft capital and got a Pro Bowler in return, but the team failed to select any standout players later in the draft.

Mager was a failed selection and the rest of the selections were fine but were not enough to give the Chargers more than a marginally passing grade.