Los Angeles Chargers: Best offensive draft picks of all-time
By Jason Reed
Running back: LaDainian Tomlinson
Who else could it really be? LaDainian Tomlinson is not only the best running back the team has ever drafted, but arguably the best player in franchise history and will go down in the top-ten all-time. If his prime lasted two or three seasons longer, Tomlinson would be a lock for the top-five and perhaps could have went down in the top-three all-time.
Tomlinson was absolutely sensational for the Chargers in his nine seasons. Overall, Tomlinson rushed for 12490 yards, 138 touchdowns and averaged 88.6 yards per game as a Charger. Tomlinson holds the NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 28, is sixth all-time in rushing yards and is second all-time in rushing touchdowns.
The Chargers selected Tomlinson with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Selecting Tomlinson five picks in was a steal considering the legacy he created during his career. It is even more of a steal considering that he may have had the best career of the top-five.
Selected before him in that draft class was Michael Vick, Leonard Davis, Gerard Warren and Justin Smith. Although Vick, Davis and Smith all had some decent years, LaDainian Tomlinson remains the best pick of the top-five and arguably the best pick of that entire draft behind former teammate Drew Brees; who the Chargers also drafted.