The 2022 NFL Draft presents a massive opportunity for the LA Chargers as the team looks to carry on a great offseason into even more success in the draft.
This is the second draft that Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco will work together on and the results were far better in 2021 than in the previous two years. Outside of Justin Herbert, the 2019 and 2020 NFL Drafts were really underwhelming, while the 2021 rookie class has some serious talent in it.
If Staley and Telesco can have as good of a showing in year two together then it could be the final step to push the team over the hump and turn the Chargers into a legitimate Super Bowl contender, if they are not already.
Here is everything you need to know about the LA Chargers and the 2022 NFL Draft.
How much time between picks in each round of the 2022 NFL Draft?
Every team has 10 minutes on the clock in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, that time reduces in day two and day three of the draft. That time is cut to seven minutes in the second round, five minutes in rounds three through six and four minutes in the seventh and final round.
What are compensatory picks?
Compensatory picks are draft picks rewarded to teams based on free agency activity. Teams can get up to four compensatory picks and get the picks based on what free agents leave the team for another team.
However, compensatory picks can be negated by incoming free agents as well. The formula that the league uses to determine what round a compensatory pick has never been made public, although the quality of free agent and contract they sign typically is a good indication. Compensatory picks are rewarded at the earliest in round three, and at the latest in round seven.
What are undrafted free agents and when can they be signed?
Undrafted free agents are college players who declared for the 2022 NFL Draft but were not selected. Undrafted free agents are free to sign with any team as soon as the NFL Draft ends and it is a common practice for teams to negotiate with an undrafted free agent prior to the draft actually ending to strike a deal as soon as the draft ends.
Two notable undrafted free agents in Chargers history are Austin Ekeler and Antonio Gates.
How many picks do the LA Chargers have in the 2022 NFL Draft?
The LA Chargers have 10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Los Angeles was awarded four compensatory picks from their free agency activity in 2021 and traded their second-round pick for Khalil Mack.
LA Chargers' 2022 NFL Draft picks
Round 1:
17th overall
Round 3:
79th overall
Round 4:
123rd overall
Round 5:
160th overall
Round 6:
195th overall
214th overall (Compensatory)
Round 7:
236th overall
254th overall (Compensatory)
255th overall (Compensatory)
260th overall (Compensatory)
How to watch the 2022 NFL Draft
- Day 1 (First round): Thursday, April 28 (5:00 p.m. PDT)
- Day 2 (Second and third round): Friday, April 29 (4 p.m. PDT)
- Day 3 (Rounds 4-7): Saturday, April 30 (9 a.m. PDT)
TV Broadcast:
- ABC
- ESPN
- ESPN Deportes
- NFL Network
Streaming:
Those who are interested in streaming the 2022 NFL Draft should check out fuboTV. The streaming service offers Cloud DVR, local channels in most markets, no cancellation fees, and for new users, they are currently offering a free trial for seven days.