LA Chargers: Ranking all 8 of Tom Telesco’s draft classes

2. The 2017 Chargers draft class

Selections: Mike Williams, Forrest Lamp, Dan Feeney, Rayshawn Jenkins, Desmond King, Sam Tevi, Isaac Rochell

I already know that this is the draft class ranking that is going to get the biggest response from the readers. This is the only draft class in the top five that does not have a marquee, superstar player, which seemingly makes it worse than the rest of the top five.

However, what I really value about this draft is the fact that the team selected six legitimate starting NFL players. Sure, some of them have had serious hiccups at times and have hurt the team (looking at Lamp and Feeney), but all of these picks outside of Isaac Rochell have primarily been starters.

The Mike Williams selection is an interesting one as you expect a wide receiver to be a legitimate WR1 if you pick them seventh overall and that is not what Williams has been. He is going to be overpaid next season on his $15 million option, which has really diminished his value in the eyes of the fans.

Yes, he is not worth that much, but he is not a bad receiver. Williams had 1,001 receiving yards last season and led the league in yards per reception. Based on his trends this year, there is a decent chance that he finishes 2020 with 700 receiving yards (he needs 52).

Those are not great numbers but I also think that the Chargers primarily using him as a jump-ball receiver has not helped his production. Put him in another scheme as the WR1 and I think he is someone who legitimately could consistently get 1,000 yards every season.

Lamp was one of the best tackles in the draft that they converted to a guard because of arm length, which hurt his production but he has been decent this season. Dan Feeney has his frustrating moments but would probably still start on a third of the league.

Rayshawn Jenkins has really played well down the stretch this season outside of his bad game against Las Vegas. He is a starting-caliber safety. Desmond King is an All-Pro corner and while he is a bit overrated, he is still great value for a fifth-rounder.

Sam Tevi is the team’s starting left tackle and there have been a lot of hiccups with him but he has finally gotten better this season and in the best-case scenario would provide an over-qualified swing tackle.

Seven picks, six starters. Star power is fun and definitely helps a draft class, but the depth that this draft class added fuels it to the number two spot.