LaDainian Tomlinson isn't just the greatest running back in LA Chargers history, he is one of the greatest running backs of all time. Despite the hyperbolic nature of player comparisons in the NFL Draft, no prospect has been legitimately compared to the single-season touchdown record holder.
Until Ashton Jeanty came along.
The Boise State running back is arguably the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley and received legitimate comparisons to Tomlinson during the draft process. So, of course, Jeanty had to be taken by the worst team imaginable for Chargers fans: the Las Vegas Raiders.
Chargers fans can't help but grimace at Raiders drafting Ashton Jeanty
If the Chargers were in a position to take Jeanty and he landed in Los Angeles then fans would have leaned into the LT comps. But now that he is on a divisional rival, it is only fitting if we all disparage the comp and draw a line in the sand.
LT comp aside, it's never great when a division rival selects arguably the most talented offensive player in the entire draft. Jeanty may have slipped to the sixth pick but it is only because he is a running back and running backs don't have as much positional value in the NFL Draft.
From a pure talent standpoint, it is hard to argue against Jeanty being the best offensive player in this draft. He very well might have been the most talented player period in the entire draft.
New Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is looking to recreate his Seahawks teams of old with Geno Smith at quarterback, a franchise running back, and a good defense. The one good thing for the Chargers is that Smith may be past his prime and the defense is a work in progress for the Raiders.
But that doesn't make the Jeanty selection any better. Chargers fans would have much rather seen Jeanty go to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 5 pick; or even the Jacksonville Jaguars if the Browns didn't trade down out of the No. 2 overall pick.
But instead, the draft broke in the absolute perfect way for the Raiders to get Jeanty, who was probably the No. 1 target on the team's draft board.
Now, the Chargers have to deal with the reality that their bitter rival just drafted someone who has been compared to one of the most popular players in franchise history.