Los Angeles Chargers' 2018 draft: Analysis for every selection
Good things come to those who wait, as the Chargers got a top-10 talent in Derwin James by standing pat at No. 17 in the draft.
2018 ScheduleAll times ET
2018 Schedule
9-7, 2nd in AFC West
- 8/11
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 8/18
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 8/25
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 8/30
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/9
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/16
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/23
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/30h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 10/7
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/14
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/21
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/4h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 11/11h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 11/18
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/25h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 12/2
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/9
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/13h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 12/23
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/30h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- Full Schedule
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James said he's already talked with new teammate Casey Hayward (they share the same agent). James also worked out with Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas in the lead-up to the draft, and could play a similar role for the Chargers. "Just playing more with your eyes, and eyes before feet," James said, when asked what he learned from Thomas. "It was great. He showed me a lot more stuff off the field and what to expect coming into the league as a rookie, so it was good working with guys like him."
Matt Bowen ESPN Staff Writer
S Derwin James is a great fit for the Chargers defensive scheme. Think of the impact with James rolled down in coverage or as an extra defender in the box. Top-tier athletic ability at the position and the speed to close on the ball.
Bill Barnwell ESPN Staff Writer
The Chargers might have wanted a run-stopping defensive tackle, but Derwin James gives them their long-term replacement for Eric Weddle after Tre Boston filled in last year. It's excellent value for a guy who was 7th on both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay's final mock drafts.
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
Chargers now on the clock and Florida State safety Derwin James seems like a perfect fit for a Kam Chancellor-type role in Gus Bradley's Cover 3 scheme.
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
Two picks left before Chargers select at No. 17 and Louisville QB Lamar Jackson still available.
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
Sitting at No. 17, the Chargers are at a good spot with Derwin James, Vita Vea,Tremaine Edmunds and Rashaan Evans still available and the Bucs on the clock at No. 12.
Josh Rosen is ready to be a leader in the NFL
NFL Draft prospect Josh Rosen joins John Ireland and Mychal Thompson and talks about what he feels is the biggest misconception about him.
Why Rashaan Evans makes sense for Chargers at No. 17
The Chargers defense was among the worst at giving up rushing yards last season, making the versatile, pass-rushing Alabama linebacker an ideal fit.
Drafting a quarterback remains a possibility for Chargers
Quarterback might not be in play for the Chargers at No. 17, but they've done their homework for potential signal-callers later in the draft.
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
In his pre-draft press conference, Chargers GM Tom Telesco addressed an earlier report by Sports Illustrated that Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield did not spend as much time on his team's playbook in preparation for a meeting with Chargers' brass because the draft prospect had to prioritize other teams with a higher pick: "I'm probably not prepared to comment on that," Telesco said, smiling. "My plate's pretty full."
Chargers plan to pick up fifth-year option for Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon's improved stats last season have made picking up his fifth year option a part of the Chargers' plan -- once they get through the draft.
Philip Rivers focused on little things this offseason
Philip Rivers says the Chargers' struggles on offense were due to a lack of execution, and one of his priorities is doing the little things better.
'Sidelined' film details Chargettes' Playboy scandal from 1970s
A new film questions whether the then-San Diego Chargers organization was hypocritical in the treatment of its cheerleading squad.
Chargers will have to show they deserve more primetime games
The Chargers probably weren't happy with only one primetime game on the schedule, but winning more will solve that problem.
ESPN Radio NFL Nation Takeover
ESPN NFL Nation Chargers Reporter Eric Williams lets Jeff Dickerson & Jonathan Hood know whether he thinks the Chargers could make the playoffs.
Brian Burke ESPN Analytics
The number of 1pm ET (or earlier) games for west coast teams is a frequently a concern. This season, the Rams have 2, 49ers and Seahawks have 3, the Chargers have 4, and the Raiders have 5. As for Mountain time zone teams, the Cardinals and Broncos each have 4.
Brian Burke ESPN Analytics
Another way the league evened out the schedule pain is back-to-back-to-back road games (3 consecutive). In 2017 there were 12. This season there are 6. (This includes neutral site venues as road games.) Of the 6 three-game road sequences, two teams own 2 of them if you consider neutral site (London/Mexico City) games as road games: Rams and Chargers. The Ravens and Saints own the other two. The Rams second 3-game road sequence includes their Mexico City game, but it's interrupted by their bye. The Chargers actually have an *uninterrupted 4-game road sequence*, counting their London game, which (strictly speaking) includes two 3-game road sequences.
Brian Burke ESPN Analytics
Travel distances can have a slight effect on team fortunes. This season, Oakland, Seattle, and the Chargers each travel about 30,000 round trip miles. At the other end of the spectrum are Carolina, Atlanta, Cincinnati, and the Jets who each travel fewer than 10,000 miles.
2018 Los Angeles Chargers game-by-game predictions
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn likes schedule release day because "it helps us lock in on the job at hand for 2018." And that job looks favorable.
Playoff teams will provide early test for Chargers
The Chargers open against the Chiefs, Bills and Rams, and these games should provide an early gauge on where the Bolts stand in the league.
Dwight Freeney: 'I know I changed the game'
Dwight Freeney knows his play paved the way for "undersized" ends and impacted the game.
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
Here's the 2018 Los Angeles Chargers regular season schedule: WEEK 1 (Sept. 9) vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 2 (Sept. 16) at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET; WEEK 3 (Sept. 23) at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 4 (Sept. 30) vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET; WEEK 5 (Oct. 7) vs. Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 6 (Oct. 14) at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET; WEEK 7 (Oct. 21) vs. Tennessee Titans, 9:30 a.m. ET; WEEK 8 (Oct 28) BYE; WEEK 9 (Nov. 4) at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 10 (Nov. 11) at Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 11 (Nov. 18) vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 12 (Nov. 25) vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 13 (Dec. 2) at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 p.m. ET; WEEK 14 (Dec. 9) Cincinnati Bengals, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 15 (Dec. 13) at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET; WEEK 16 (Dec. 23) vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:05 p.m. ET; WEEK 17 (Dec. 30) at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET
Chargers CB Casey Hayward unfazed by Rams' splashy moves
The Rams have made the bigger, bolder moves in the offseason, but the Chargers believe they're positioned well in the Battle for Los Angeles.
Eric D. Williams ESPN Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Chargers announce they will face the Tennessee Titans in London at Wembley Stadium in Week 7 on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 a.m. local time. It's the first time the Chargers have played in London since 2008. The rest of the NFL schedule will be announced at 8 p.m. E.T.
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2018 Draft Picks
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(17) | Derwin James | S | Florida State |
| 2(16) | |||
| 3(20) | |||
| 4(19) | |||
| 5(18) | |||
| 6(17) | |||
| 7(33) |
2017 AFC West Standings
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 415 | 339 |
| Los Angeles | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 355 | 272 |
| Oakland | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 301 | 373 |
| Denver | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 289 | 382 |
Team Leaders 2017
- Offense
- Defense
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Receiving Yards
Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Team Stats
Passing Yards276.91st
Rushing Yards99.724th
Points For22.213th
Points Against17.03rd