LA Chargers: Greatest sixth overall picks since the NFL/AFL merger

The LA Chargers will be picking with the sixth overall pick for the first time in franchise history and hope to have the same success as some of the greatest.

The LA Chargers have never selected a prospect with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft, which is fitting as this is the most important NFL Draft that the team has had in a decade and a half.

This draft is likely going to yield the team’s future plans for a franchise quarterback, which will impact at least the next half-decade and how successful the Chargers will be. You can afford a bust when you are picking a defensive tackle in the first round, it hurts more when it is a quarterback.

Since the team has never picked sixth in the draft, we decided to look back at the best sixth overall picks in NFL Draft history — after the NFL/AFL merger in 1970.

5. James Lofton, WR, Green Bay Packers

James Lofton is the first Pro Football Hall of Famer on this list and is ironically listed behind two players that play the same position that are not in the Hall of Fame.

Lofton was drafted in the 1978 NFL Draft and was one of the best receivers in the league for his time period. From 1978 to 1986 with the Green Bay Packers, Lofton totaled 530 receptions, 9,656 receiving yards and 49 receiving touchdowns.

Lofton ranked second in the NFL in receiving yards in that time frame, trailing Steve Largent by 125 yards. He also ranked seventh in receiving touchdowns in that time frame.

Throughout his career, Lofton had six 1,000 yard receiving seasons but never reached double digits in receiving touchdowns.

Lofton has an impressive career resume, and despite being a Hall of Fame, it is not quite as impressive as the other wideouts that are on this list.