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For the most part, the Los Angeles Chargers have faired well in the NFL draft. Throughout their six-plus decades of existence, the Chargers have drafted stars such as LaDanian Tomlinson, Dan Fouts and Joey Bosa.
However, at the same time, like every other team in the NFL, the Chargers are not infallible and have their fair share of draft busts that have haunted the franchise throughout its history. Here are their top five.
5. Eric Bieniemy
Despite coming in at just 5-foot-7 and 207 pounds, Bieniemy was an electric running back prospect out of Colorado. For that reason, the Chargers took a chance on the undersized back in the second round with the 39th overall pick in 1991.
As a senior as Colorado, Bieniemy rushed for 1,628 yards and 17 touchdowns. In four years with the Chargers, the former second-round picked racked up just 711 rushing yards and four touchdowns, never eclipsing 295 yards on the ground in a Chargers uniform. He is, however, one of the top offensive coaching minds in the NFL today.
4. Larry English
In his final three years at Northern Illinois, English racked up an incredible 46.5 tackles for a loss. And with a 6-foot-2, 245-pound frame, the exciting pass-rusher was supposed to be the future of the Chargers defense.
San Diego drafted English with the 16th overall pick in 2009 but he would last just five years with the team and would be out of the league a year later. English was mainly used as a backup, as he only started nine games during his Chargers career.
3. James FitzPatrick
At 6-foot-8 and 3-5 pounds, FitzPatrick was an imposing offensive prospect out of USC. His mix of size and skill enticed the Chargers to draft FitzPatrick with the 13th overall pick in 1986 with the hopes that he could help protect an aging Dan Fouts.
FitzPatrick was never able to get into the swing of things, however, as the big offensive tackle only started 14 games in four seasons with the Chargers and was out of the league by the age of 27.
2. Craig Davis
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Davis was an integral part of some very successful LSU teams in the mid-2000s. And after excelling as a punt returner and recording 836 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a senior, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound wideout was selected with the 30th overall pick in 2007.
Davis was expected to add another weapon for Philip Rivers alongside Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and Tomlinson but Davis barely had an impact at the NFL level.
It soon became clear that the former LSU star didn't have what it took to become a solid player at the next level. Davis only lasted four seasons in the league (all with the Chargers) and never surpassed 259 receiving yards or one touchdown for a season.
1. Ryan Leaf
Was there really any doubt? Not only is Leaf the biggest draft bust in Chargers history but, the former No. 2 overall pick is also widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
Leaf's bust status is only accentuated by the fact that he was drafted directly after five-time MVP Peyton Manning. But, with a strong, 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame and a rocket arm, you can't blame the Chargers for drafting the Washington State product.
Leaf's career actually got off to a solid start as he led the Chargers to wins in their first two games but the quarterback had clear off-the-field issues and lacked the ability to read NFL defenses. As a rookie, Leaf threw only two touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions and it didn't get much better after that.
Leaf would only last one more year in San Diego before the team released him. After one season as the backup for the Dallas Cowboys, the guy who was once seen as a can't-miss prospect was out of the league.
