In 2003, Kris Dielman found a home in San Diego, making the practice squad undrafted out of Indiana.  With six games left in the season, Dielman was called up in a reserve role, and while he was still a backup the following season, he was on the regular roster. 

Louie Kelcher was a huge player for his day as a 6’ 5” Defensive Tackle, but the star at SMU was able to use his mass to the best of his ability.

After playing his rookie season with the Houston Oilers, Doug Wilkerson was traded to the San Diego Chargers for Tight End, Willie Frazier.  Frazier had been a two-time AFL All-Star for the Chargers, but his best days were behind him.  Wilkerson went on to play 14 years for San Diego.

Charlie Joiner made his pro football debut in 1969 with the Houston Oilers, and he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972, where he stayed until he was dealt to San Diego after the 1975 season.  Joiner was 28 at the time of the trade, and the Wide Receiver had accumulated 2,943 Yards.  That wasn't bad, but it would pale to what was to become.

The San Diego Chargers used their First Round Pick in 1979 to obtain Kellen Winslow, a Tight End from Missouri.  Injuries held him to seven Games that year, but over the next four years, he was easily the best Tight End in the National Football League.

After signing with the San Diego Chargers in 1962 (instead of the Detroit Lions of the NFL), John Hadl shared Quarterback duties with Tobin Rote, where he backed him up as the Chargers won the 1963 AFL Championship.

Ron Mix had a spectacular career at USC, and to nobody's surprise, he was a First Round Pick in the NFL.  The problem was that it was the Baltimore Colts on the East Coast who chose him, and the native of Los Angeles wanted to stay close to home.  In the AFL, the Boston Patriots took him in the first-ever draft of that league, but a trade to the Chargers allowed him to stay close to home.

Dan Fouts played his entire pro career with the San Diego Chargers, and he was his arm that the passing mantra of Don “Air” Coryell was built on.

The professional career of Earl Faison might have been relatively brief, but his impact was undeniable.

Gary "Big Hands" Johnson had one of the best nicknames in football, don't you think?   He was not just a colorful moniker as Johnson was also an excellent Defensive Tackle.

Leslie O'Neal had a phenomenal (or tragic) rookie season for the San Diego Chargers, who took the Oklahoma State Cowboy with their First Round Pick.  Not only was O'Neal an All-Rookie, but he was also named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.  However, it was equally tragic as he injured his knee, which ended not only that year, but the following season and half of the next one.

The San Diego Chargers struck gold with their Second Overall Pick in 1963 with Syracuse Offensive Guard, Walt Sweeney.

Fred Dean was one of the best defensive players in Louisiana Tech history, and his work landed him a Second Round Pick with the San Diego Chargers in 1975.

Junior Seau was a sensation in Southern California, but that happened before playing a down of pro football.  Seau was from Riverside, California, and he played his college ball at USC, so when he was drafted Fifth Overall by the San Diego Chargers, he was already beloved and right at home.

A former Defensive Player of the Year at Mizzou, Russ Washington parlayed that into the Fourth Overall Pick of the 1968 Draft.

Keenan Allen has played his first ten years in the National Football League for the San DIego/Los Angeles Chargers, where for most of it he was their prime receiving weapon.

A member of the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame, Keith Lincoln, was drafted in the 2^nd Round by San Diego in 1961 (he was also a 5^th Round Pick by the Chicago Bears of the NFL).  It was an excellent choice for both parties as it did not take long for Keith Lincoln to establish himself as of the better Running Backs of the AFL. 

The San Diego Chargers took Ohio State Buckeye Offensive Lineman, Jim Lachey, 12^th Overall in 1985, and he would be plugged in immediately as the Bolts’ starting Left Tackle. 

A star at the University of Indiana, Earl Faison elected to go to the San Diego Chargers in 1961, who drafted him in the 1^st Round as opposed to the Detroit Lions of the NFL, who chose him in the 5^th.  Faison was an instant stud, using his sheer power by winning the AFL Rookie of the Year.  The Defensive End would earn First Team All-Pro in four of his first five years, only missing out on 1962 because injuries reduced him to only eight games.  Amazingly, he was still named an AFL All-Star that year, and as you would expect, he was one every other year of his first half-decade in Pro Football.

From Rice University, Tobin Rote was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, but in '50 the Pack was not very good, and wouldn't be for years.  The ineptitude of Green Bay was no fault of Rote, who proved to be an excellent QB, but didn't have a lot of teammates around him at his level.  He was also a solid rusher, especially early in his career.  For those who dismissed Rote, in 1956 on what was still a mediocre Packers team, he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards and Completions and had a then-record 29 Touchdown Passes.  Despite that great season, the Packers traded him to Detroit, who began the season sharing Quarterbacking duties with Bobby Layne, but was clearly the main pivot on a team that would win the 1957 NFL Championship Team.