The Chargers have had problems with their drafts over the years. Guys like Jerry Tillery still have strong holds on the minds of Chargers fans. While some of Telesco’s draftees have played better under Jim Harbaugh, this year’s draft class is the best the Chargers have had in years. The talent they selected in every part of the draft is unprecedented for the Bolts front office. The true attention to detail from Joe Hortiz is nothing short of impressive. While some of these guys haven’t played enough yet to have a true idea, it is far enough into the season to give these draft picks grades.
(Round 1, Pick 5) RT Joe Alt, Notre Dame: A
Joe Alt has proven to be worth every bit of the number five pick in this draft. Many believed Joe Hortiz should’ve taken a wideout like Malik Nabers or even Rome Odunze, and were disappointed with their selection of Alt. Since then, Alt has quite literally been one of the better offensive lineman in football. Paired with Rashawn Slater, Herbert is getting some of the most time he’s ever had, even with a subpar interior line. Obviously, Malik Nabers is a great talent. However, they got their guy in the second round that is objectively having a better season than Nabers.
(Round 2, Pick 2) WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia: A+
Ladd McConkey has exceeded all expectations in his rookie year for the Chargers. For example, Justin Herbert threw for 147 yards against the Falcons in week 13. Ladd McConkey accounted for 117 of those yards. While a small sample size, the passing game has lived and died by McConkey. He’s on pace for over 1,000 yards in his rookie year, a number that puts him among the likes of Odell Beckham Jr, Ja’Marr Chase, and his predecessor Keenan Allen. Whether Ladd is their solidified top option or their 1B depending on who they have in the future, Ladd is the future of this offense along with Justin Herberg.
(Round 3, Pick 5) LB Junior Colson, Michigan: N/A
Junior Colson hasn’t been available this year, but it hasn’t been to much fault of his own. Yes, he has spent a lot of time on the injury report, but he wouldn’t see much time on the field this season anyway. Veteran Denzel Perryman is a Bolt again, and is still playing at a high level this late in his career. More importantly, second-year linebacker Daiyan Henley is having a breakout year. Henley is leading the team in tackles and is proving himself to be a star in the NFL. After Perryman’s time in LA is over, Colson could get more time on the field. With years of experience under Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter already, Colson won’t need as much time to adjust to the system as others when the time comes.
(Round 4, Pick 5) DT Justin Eboigbe, Alabama: C
Justin Eboigbe is the definition of not enough time to tell. He’s played four games for the Bolts so far and has recorded one assisted tackle throughout those games. He’s behind veterans like Poona Ford & Teair Tart who are playing great, and young talent like Otito Ogbonnia. Since both Ford and Tart are free agents after the season, there is a chance Eboigbe gets more snaps next year. However, he will likely not play much more this season, since it seems the coaching staff has already picked out the guys they want on the interior.
(Round 5, Pick 2) CB Tarheeb Still, Maryland: B+
Tarheeb Still is on pace to be one of the Chargers’ best picks in this draft, but has not had enough time yet to prove it. His most recent showing was one of the best of the week. He intercepted Kirk Cousins twice and returned one for a touchdown. Still has only gotten extended reps since Asante Samuel Jr. went down with an injury, but he has cemented himself in the starting lineup even when this secondary is fully healthy. Just how good he is isn’t yet known, since he has only played nine games.
(Round 5, Pick 5) CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame: B+
Cam Hart is in a very similar situation to Tarheeb Still. Hart has played ten games, but has consistently been solid throughout every single one. He got hurt on Monday Night Football against the Ravens but was great up to that point. Hart and Still have looked like great corners of the future moving forward, and it will be interesting to see how the secondary looks with them both on the field together. With that being said, the future of guys like Asante Samuel Jr. on this team becomes interesting heading into the offseason.
(Round 6, Pick 5) RB Kimani Vidal, Troy: N/A
It will soon be known what kind of player Kimani Vidal is. The Troy alumni looked solid in preseason but has barely played in the regular season. With the absence of JK Dobbins, it is likely that Vidal could take some snaps away from Gus Edwards as the running back in explosive plays. Gus will still be the short-yardage back, but Vidal could be a great three-down back in this league if given the chance.
(Round 7, Pick 5) WR Brenden Rice, USC: N/A
The jury is still out on Brenden Rice. The son of the hall of famer was elite when catching passes from Caleb Williams in college, and now he’s playing with Justin Herbert. The only problem is that Rice hasn’t been available, for a multitude of reasons. Sure, he has been hurt, but he has had opportunities to play when the coaching staff has made him a healthy inactive. Maybe next year Rice can get some more reps on the field, but it doesn’t seem like this will be his year (barring a return from injury and further disappointment from the receiver group).