Who Are the Most Recent Players Picked at No. 22 in the NFL Draft?

With the Chargers currently slated to pick 22nd overall, here's a look at the most recent selections at that slot

Apr 03, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is on.

The first round of the draft kicks off on April 24 with the Chargers currently holding the No. 22 overall pick.

The Bolts are no stranger to No. 22 as they have picked there three times in team history ... taking a defensive back each time.

The last time the team made a pick at that spot was in 1993 when they selected cornerback Darrien Gordon.

Gordon spent his first four seasons with the Chargers, starting every game and leading the team in interceptions as well as punt returns during their run to a Super Bowl appearance in 1994. He played nine years overall in the NFL and won two Super Bowls in four appearances.

The Chargers also selected at that slot 10 years prior in the 1983 NFL Draft when they selected another cornerback in Gill Byrd.

Byrd, who was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1998, played all of his 10 seasons with the Bolts and was a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Second-Team All-Pro.

Their final pick at No. 22 came in 1975, when they selected cornerback Mike Williams (no relation to the current Bolts receiver).

Williams was a mainstay of the Chargers defense for eight of his nine pro seasons, starting 101 of his 107 games and intercepting 24 passes.

The Bolts draft position in this year's draft sits an interesting position, which begs the question which players have been selected in that spot in the past decade and longer?

stay tuned pic.twitter.com/lHjM2MMz3h
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 17, 2025

Here's a look at the past decade of the 22nd overall pick in the draft, plus a couple notable players selected in that spot throughout the history of the NFL:

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2024 — CB Quinyon Mitchell, Eagles

Mitchell was the first cornerback selected in last year's draft and a PFWA All-Rookie selection after 12 passes defensed in 16 starts during the regular season. He was a big part of the Eagles secondary on their run to the Super Bowl, starting in all four playoff games for Philadelphia.

2023 — WR Zay Flowers, Ravens

The 24-year-old receiver became the first Ravens wide receiver drafted to make the Pro Bowl this past season after putting together a 1,000-yard season. Flowers has caught 151 passes for 1,917 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons.

2022 — LB Quay Walker, Packers

Walker has been a steady presence in the middle of Green Bay's defense since entering the league, starting 43 of the 44 games he's played in three seasons. He's amassed 341 total tackles and led the Packers in that category each season he's been in the NFL.

competitors welcome pic.twitter.com/AP3JtRkKgN
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) March 31, 2025

2021 — DB Caleb Farley, Titans

The Virginia Tech product has been limited by injuries since entering the NFL, playing in 21 games and starting three of them. He spent the first part of his career with the Titans before playing nine games with the Panthers in 2024.

2020 — WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings

Jefferson emerged as one of the best receivers in the NFL upon entering the league and has made two First-Team All-Pro Teams and four Pro Bowls. His best season with Minnesota came in 2022, when he won the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award after 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.

2019 — OT Andre Dillard, Eagles

The offensive tackle has enjoyed a solid NFL career, playing in 69 games (19 starts) during his time in the league. After his first four years in Philadelphia, Dillard has spent the past two seasons with the Titans and Packers, respectively.

2018 — LB Rashaan Evans, Titans

A two-time National Champion in college, Evans was the starter for the Titans during their 2019 and 2020 playoff runs. The linebacker has since spent time with the Falcons and Cowboys since then, playing in 87 games (68 starts) and racking up 485 total tackles during his career.

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The Los Angeles Chargers host the SDUSD Middle School Flag Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at University City High School in San Diego, CA.