Drafting in the NFL is basically like gambling with millions of dollars and the hopes of an entire city on your shoulders. If you’re a fan, you’ve probably spent your fair share of Friday mornings yelling at the TV or scrolling through Twitter, wondering why on earth the front office ignored a "generational" wide receiver to take a guy who plays a position you didn't even know was a priority. When we talk about chargers 1st round picks, the conversation usually starts and ends with the big names—the superstars who actually panned out. But the reality is way messier than the highlight reels suggest.
The Harbaugh Era and the Ground Game Shift
Honestly, if you want to understand where the team is going, you have to look at 2024 and 2025. This isn't the same "finesse" team from the San Diego days. Jim Harbaugh walked into the building and immediately decided that the path to a championship was paved with "intellectual brutality."
Take the 2025 draft. The Chargers were sitting at No. 22. Most mock drafts had them grabbing a flashy interior lineman or maybe another defensive piece to help out a unit that’s had its struggles. Instead, they went with Omarion Hampton, the powerhouse running back from North Carolina.
Some people hated it. "A running back in the first round? In 2025?" Yeah, it sounds like something out of a 1990s playbook. But look at the logic. Harbaugh wants to punish people. Hampton, a guy who put up back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons in college, is a "blue-collar brawler." By pairing him with a veteran like Najee Harris, whom they signed in free agency, the Chargers basically told the rest of the AFC West that they are going to run the ball down their throats for 60 minutes.
The Joe Alt Decision of 2024
Before Hampton, there was Joe Alt. In 2024, the Chargers held the No. 5 overall pick. The internet was practically begging them to take a receiver. Justin Herbert needed weapons, right? Well, Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh went with the mountain from Notre Dame instead.
💡 You might also like: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
Alt was a pillar. At 6-foot-9, he wasn't just a "safe" pick; he was a statement. It showed that the "new" Chargers care more about protecting $260 million of quarterback than they do about selling jerseys for a new WR1. It worked. Alt stabilized a line that had been a revolving door for years.
Hits, Misses, and the Justin Herbert Jackpot
You can't talk about chargers 1st round picks without mentioning the 2020 draft. It’s the year that changed everything for this franchise. Choosing Justin Herbert at No. 6 was, at the time, polarizing. Remember the "he’s too quiet" or "he’s just a system QB" narratives?
Looking back, those takes aged like milk. Herbert isn't just a hit; he’s the foundation. But that same year, the team traded back into the first round to grab Kenneth Murray Jr. at No. 23. That’s the duality of the draft. For every franchise-altering quarterback, there's a linebacker who struggles to find his footing in the system. Murray had the physical tools, but the production just never quite matched the first-round pedigree, and he eventually moved on to the Titans.
The Rashawn Slater Home Run
In 2021, the Chargers got lucky. Well, lucky and smart. Rashawn Slater fell to them at No. 13. Usually, a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle doesn't just slide outside the top ten, but the Chargers didn't overthink it. Slater has been arguably the best value pick of the last decade for the Bolts. He’s the type of player you draft and then don't have to worry about that position for ten years.
📖 Related: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
Why 2023 Still Stings for Some Fans
Every fan base has that one pick that keeps them up at night. For the Chargers, it might be Quentin Johnston in 2023. Selected at No. 21, Johnston was supposed to be the vertical threat to replace the aging Mike Williams.
His rookie year was... let's just say it was a learning experience. Dropped passes and a lack of chemistry with Herbert led to a lot of "bust" labels being thrown around early. While he’s shown flashes of that TCU athleticism since then, the fact that players like Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison were taken right around him makes it a tough pill to swallow for the "what if" crowd.
A Look Back at the All-Time Greats
The history of chargers 1st round picks isn't all modern drama. There’s some serious gold in the archives. We’re talking about Hall of Fame talent that defined entire eras of football.
- Junior Seau (1990): No. 5 overall. The heart and soul of the 1994 Super Bowl team. 55.5 sacks and 12 Pro Bowls later, he’s a legend.
- LaDainian Tomlinson (2001): Also No. 5 overall. LT didn't just play running back; he reinvented it. 2006 MVP. 28 rushing touchdowns in a single season. Unreal.
- Derwin James (2018): Pick No. 17. When he's healthy, he is the most versatile defensive weapon in the league. He can play safety, nickel, or even rush the passer.
The Strategy Moving Forward
If you look at the recent trend under the Hortiz/Harbaugh regime, the strategy is clear: Size and Violence. The 2025 class, led by Omarion Hampton, proves they aren't following the "Analytical Twitter" guidelines. They aren't afraid of the "devalued" positions if the player fits the identity. They want guys who can win one-on-one matchups in the trenches.
👉 See also: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
What This Means for You (The Fan)
Stop expecting the Chargers to draft for "flash." They aren't going to take the 175-pound receiver who runs a 4.28 if there's a 320-pound guard who can move people against their will.
Actionable Insights for Following the Next Draft:
- Watch the Trenches: If the Chargers are on the clock, look at the offensive and defensive line rankings first.
- Ignore the "Position Value" Noise: If Harbaugh likes a player’s "grit" and "toughness," he’s going to take him, regardless of whether a running back or safety is "supposed" to go that high.
- Check the "Michigan Connection": Harbaugh has a clear affinity for players who play the way his Michigan teams did—tough, disciplined, and physical.
- Value the 5th Year Option: Remember that first-rounders come with a 5th-year team option. This is why the Chargers are often willing to "reach" slightly for a tackle or edge rusher—those positions are too expensive to pay in free agency.
The draft is a long game. A "D+" grade on draft night can look like an "A" three years later (just ask Justin Herbert). As the 2026 cycle approaches, expect more of the same: big, physical, and probably a little bit controversial.
For more on the current roster and scouting reports, check the official Chargers Draft History or follow the latest updates from NFL.com’s draft analysts.