2021 NFL draft: Chargers trade possibilities using values chart

The Los Angeles Chargers could look to trade up or trade down in this year’s draft.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco doesn’t do it often, but he’s not afraid to make trades on draft day.

In 2013, the Chargers traded the No. 45 overall selection in the second round and a fourth-rounder to the Cardinals to move up seven spots and picked linebacker Manti Te’o at No. 38.

In 2014, Telesco traded the No. 57 overall selection in the second round and a fourth-rounder to the Dolphins to move up seven spots to select edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu at No. 50.

In 2015, the Bolts traded the No. 17 overall pick, a fourth-rounder and fifth-rounder in 2016 to the 49ers to move up two spots, where they ended up taking running Melvin Gordon at No. 15.

Last year, Los Angeles sent its 2020 second-round pick (No. 37) and third-round pick (No. 71) to the Patriots in exchange for the No. 23 selection to take linebacker Kenneth Murray.

If L.A. is looking to trade up in this year’s draft, it’s important to know the value of each pick and what they would have to give up to get or vice versa.

Former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson came up with a trade value chart years ago, which is still used today. It gives each pick in the draft a point value, which helps determine how much the other team should get in return.

Below is a chart of the value of every pick in this year’s draft:

Here are the values of every Chargers pick in the draft:

  • Round 1 (13): 1150 points
  • Round 2 (47): 430 points
  • Round 3 (77): 205 points
  • Round 3 (97): 112 points
  • Round 4 (118): 58 points
  • Round 5 (159): 26.2 points
  • Round 6 (185): 15.8 points
  • Round 6 (198): 10.6 points
  • Round 7 (241): 1 point

Here are a couple of reasonable trades that Los Angeles could look to make.

Chargers receive: No. 7 from DET (Acquire OT Penei Sewell)

Lions receive: No. 13, 47 (2nd), 159 (5th)

Note: Compensation from next year’s draft might be required when looking at trades from past drafts.


Chargers receive: No. 37 from PHI (Acquire OT Samuel Cosmi)

Eagles receive: No. 47, 97 (3rd)


If a team happens to be looking to trade up in front of the Chargers, here is an example of what they’d have to give up.

Chargers receive: No. 19 from WFT (Acquire OT Teven Jenkins), 51 (2nd)

Football Team receive: No. 13, No. 97 (3rd)