Last year, around this time, I suggested that the Chargers might be wise to trade up from the No. 6 overall spot to obtain their quarterback of the future.
The team stood pat and ended up with quarterback Justin Herbert, who went on to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
This year, Los Angeles is in a position where they could afford to move down from the 13th pick. Trading down in the draft would be a good idea, especially if the compensation is enticing.
L.A. has needs to address, primarily along the offensive line. But outside of that, there aren’t glaring holes on the roster.
The top consensus offensive lineman, Oregon Penei Sewell is likely going to be gone and there’s a good chance that Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater will be off the board, too.
Using the Drafttek draft pick value chart and seeing the needs that some of the other teams have, there are a few notables that could be looking to move up: Washington Football Team, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.
All of these teams mentioned have question marks at the quarterback position, and they could look to snag one of the top guys available like North Dakota State’s Trey Lance or Alabama’s Mac Jones.
According to the chart, the Chargers could move back to the 19th (WFT), 20th (CHI) or 21st (IND) spot and additionally get their third and fourth-round picks. If Pittsburgh wanted to move up from No. 24, Los Angeles could land a second-round pick.
At these spots, L.A. might still have a shot of drafting USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker, Texas’ Samuel Cosmi or Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis.
Slated to have nine picks already, the rich could become richer by making a trade down. The Bolts could use the extra picks to address the offensive line and the depth along the defensive line, cornerback, outside linebacker and wide receiver position.