Chargers host NFL Draft Party at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood; Select Zion Johnson with 17th pick

The Los Angeles Chargers hosted thousands of fans at their home field in Inglewood Thursday evening, celebrating what many view as the official beginning to the upcoming season - the NFL Draft. 

With the 17th pick of the first round, fans had to wait for a little over an hour of actual draft time for the team to make the selection, but that didn't stop them from filling the seats early to watch as their beloved Bolts added one new piece to their 2022-23 roster. 

Fans at DraftFest were treated to a livestream of the NFL Draft, which was held in Las Vegas. 

CBS reporters were on the field, where they spoke with some of the fans in attendance, who were excited about "the prospect of what the future could look like."

Snoop Dogg also made an appearance in front of the hometown crowd, who were treated to a performance by the legendary Los Angeles based rapper.

CBS Sports Director Jim Hill also joined the party, where he spoke with Snoop, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen ahead of DraftFest. 

"We're in the City of Inglewood - we love football," Snoop said, explaining why he decided to join the team for the party. "Keenan is a family member. They've been good to me and my football league. It made sense for me to walk down the streets, come up here and get this pre-draft party cranking."

Allen echoed that, noting how with the team recently relocating to the new city, they have to continue building their new fan base however they can.

"Being in the City of Inglewood, Snoop's hometown, we gotta show love to him and he showed the love right back," he said. "It means everything to us, it means everything to the Chargers community."

"It's an awesome moment for all these guys that are about to get drafted," Herbert said. "I think back to two years ago when I got drafted to the Chargers, and I couldn't have been more happy to be part of the organization. I'm so thankful that it's worked out so far. Excited to see who we take."

Allen and Herbert were just a couple of the many Chargers players who joined the fans Thursday, signing autographs and interacting with the crowd. 

Chris Rumph II, who the Chargers selected with their fourth-round pick in 2021 was among those players to speak with CBS reporters about how thrilling the opportunity presented to these young players is. 

"It's really exciting for all these guys," he said. "You know they put a whole bunch of work in since January, (and) just to see that all come - drafted or undrafted - it's a blessing to be in the NFL in the first place."

The Jacksonville Jaguars were first on the clock, where they took almost all of their 10 minutes allotted for selection to pick George linebacker Travon Walker. 

Sixteen picks later, and over a dozen NFL dreams secured, the Chargers selected Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson, who has experience at all offensive line positions. 

It's the second-straight year that the Chargers have taken an offensive lineman with their first round pick, after selecting Second-Team All-Pro offensive tackle Rashawn Slater with their No. 13 pick. 

Johnson spoke with CBS Sports Reporter Chris Hayre after he was selected. 

"Man! It's been a whirlwind," he said. "I'm so excited. You know, I was surprised when I got picked. I was mid-conversation, just holding my phone in my hand - I wasn't even sitting in the draftee chair."

He recalled the moment he got the call from the Chargers. 

"I was like, 'Oh my goodness. Here we go!'" Johnson continued. "Knowing that offense, with Justin Herbert and the offensive linemen they have, the receivers, Austin Ekeler at running back - it's just exciting to know that I can come in and work my tail off, hopefully get on the field and make an impact on an offense that already has so many offensive players that are great."

"My number on thing is, I want to win games," he concluded. "Coming into the Chargers, my main goal is to do whatever I can to help the team win, and take us even farther than we went last year."

The move falls right in line with what most NFL analysts expected, as the Bolts addressed the need to bolster the protection in front of Herbert.

Fans were also appreciative of the move to protect their beloved QB, hoping ahead of time that they could "keep the o-line secure and keep Justin safe."

USC wide receiver Drake London was also selected with the 8th pick by the Atlanta Falcons. 

London also spoke with spoke with Hayre on the red carpet prior the Draft, where he spoke about what it means for him to have the chance to play in the NFL after spending the last three years as a Trojan.

"Just being immersed in that culture, you know, that's why I picked SC," he said. "When you go outside those gates, you kinda see what the world is. To be immersed in that was something special, and to go through it with all my guys - my teammates - they made it so much easier and it got me to the point where I am today."

The crosstown rivals and reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, who notably share the stadium with the Chargers, did not have a pick in the first round, after trading it to the Detroit Lions as a part of the move that landed Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. 

In:
• NFL Draft
• Los Angeles Chargers