The Chargers know the value of a high draft pick.
They also know how important it is to get it right when given the chance.
One year after doing just that by selecting Joey Bosa third overall, the Chargers will have the opportunity once again as they are set to select seventh in the 2017 NFL Draft. While the Bolts have had a top 10 pick in back-to-back drafts, it marks only the second time in the last 13 years they've picked that high.
They obviously hope it's the last time they do so for the foreseeable future.
Nonetheless, the seventh overall pick will be a valuable resource for the Chargers this offseason. Before selecting Bosa third overall, their three previous players acquired with a top 10 selection were QB Philip Rivers (via trade for Eli Manning, who was selected first overall) in 2004, Quentin Jammer (fifth overall) in 2002 and RB LaDainian Tomlinson (fifth overall) in 2001.
Those three players helped spur one of the most successful stints in franchise history. Rivers is still going strong, rewriting the record books for Chargers quarterbacks over the last 13 seasons. Meanwhile, Jammer played 11 standout seasons for the Bolts while LT was just named a finalist for the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
The 2017 NFL Draft will take place in Philadelphia from April 27-29, and the order for the top 20 picks are as follows:
- Cleveland Browns
- San Francisco 49ers
- Chicago Bears
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles Rams)
- New York Jets
- San Diego Chargers
- Carolina Panthers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- New Orleans Saints
- Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles)
- Arizona Cardinals
T-14. Indianapolis Colts
T-14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings) - Baltimore Ravens
- Washington Redskins
- Tennessee Titans
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Denver Broncos
