Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft Picks: 2018 Round-by-Round Results, Grades

How will the Buccaneers use their picks in the 2019 NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.

Author:
Kaelen Jones
Publish date:
Apr 25, 2019

The Los Angeles Chargers finished last season 12–4. They broke a four-year playoff drought, reaching the AFC Divisional round prior to bowing out.

The Chargers will hope to continue their strong play next season, which will mark their third under head coach Anthony Lynn.

Last year, Los Angeles selected Florida State defensive back Derwin James with the 17th pick of the 2018 draft. He went on to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in addition to an All-Pro nod.

How will the Chargers use their picks in this year's NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.

Here's the full list of picks Los Angeles holds in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.

Round 1, Pick 28 (No. 28 overall):

Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Andy Benoit's grade: B

This is a simple case of a team drafting for need (which is not an unwise approach). Nose-shade tackle Brandon Mebane is still viable, but next year he’ll be 35 and on a contract that could be nullified for $4.25 million in cap savings. Last year’s third-round pick, Justin Jones, can be a solid starter alongside Mebane, but depth behind him was needed after the loss of free agents Damion Square, Corey Liuget and Darius Philon this spring. The question is whether Tillery will rotate into that 3-tech role with Jones or fill Mebane’s nose tackle role, which carries different duties. Given Tillery’s combination of size and athleticism, the Chargers probably hope the answer is both. Which explains why they invested a first-round pick.

Round 2, Pick 28 (No. 60 overall): Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware

Andy Benoit's grade: A-

Adderley will predominantly play centerfield in Los Angeles’s single-high, Seahawks-style scheme, allowing bourgeoning superstar Derwin James to play the box. But given Adderly’s potential versatility and James’s unbridled versatility, it could soon be time for the Chargers to expand and diversify that scheme.

Round 3, Pick 27 (No. 91 overall): Trey Pipkins, T, Sioux Falls

Andy Benoit's grade: C-

Russell Okung and Sam Tevi are solid bookend tackles under contract for the next two years, and Pipkins is viewed as a developmental prospect here.

Round 4, Pick 28 (No. 130 overall): Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame

Round 5, Pick 28 (No. 166 overall): Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota St.

Round 6, Pick 27 (No. 200 overall): Emeke Egbule, LB, Houston

Round 7, Pick 28 (No. 242 overall): Cortez Broughton, DT, Cincinnati

See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below.