Chargers move up a spot in 2021 draft order

The Chargers are currently one of seven teams with a record of 2-7 or worse in the NFL. While the Jets (0-9) and Jaguars (1-8) are the bottom two, the Bolts share the third-worst record with the Cowboys, Washington Football Team, and Texans while the Bengals sit in a slightly better place with a 2-6-1 record.

With their most-recent loss, the Bolts now hold the fifth-overall pick in the draft. It will be the highest the franchise has picked since 2016 when they selected Joey Bosa with at #3 overall.

Since 1960, the Chargers have drafted in the top-five just 11 times. Of those 11 picks, six of them have been named to the Pro Bowl while two have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

To paint a clearer picture of what type of player the Chargers could expect at the fifth-overall pick, here are the last ten selection at number five:

• 2020: QB Tua Tagovailoa
• 2019: LB Devin White
• 2018: OLB Bradley Chubb
• 2017: WR Corey Davis
• 2016: CB Jalen Ramsey
• 2015: OG Brandon Scherff
• 2014: OLB Khalil Mack
• 2013: DE Ziggy Ansah
• 2012: WR Justin Blackmon
• 2011: CB Patrick Peterson

Seven of those 10 names are either great players, or guys that look to be headed in that direction. As of now, I’d say the Chargers may be in line to get a future foundational piece to the team if they continue on their current path this season.