Could Chargers afford to risk moving out of the top-10?

The LA Chargers are set to pick sixth and I’ve long believed that the best case scenario would involve trading down. Though general manager Tom Telesco has oft avoided trades of any kind, he did make an o-line blockbuster early in the offseason and so many he’s ready for other alternatives in how he runs the team. There are many potential trade down scenarios we could consider until the first round on April 23rd, though we must also take into account that regardless of what’s gained the Chargers will end up missing out on some really good prospects if they take a few steps back in the draft.

One rumor involves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wanting to move up for an offensive tackle.

The Bucs currently hold pick 14 and that could be too late for them to grab any one of the top four offensive line prospects: Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, Andrew Thomas, and Jedrick Wills. The Chargers too are thought to be interested in an offensive tackle and if they stay where they’re at are virtually guaranteed to get one of those players if they so choose. The difference between six and 14 isn’t just eight spots, it’s saying goodbye to potentially all four of those players, and maybe other intriguing options like Isaiah Simmons, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, or Derrick Brown, just to list a few.

However, we also can’t guarantee that Herbert or the player they’d covet in that range wouldn’t also be available at 14. We can remove some names from contention probably, but I don’t believe any QB other than Joe Burrow should feel secure that they’re going early.

What might LA get in return for moving down eight spots?

Per the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart, the Chargers would look to regain 500 “points” in that deal. There is no thing as a “real” trade value chart, teams can do whatever they want to do, but it’s a jumping off point for discussion. And if Tompa is really that set on moving up, who knows what they’d be willing to part with.

The 500 points scenario would involve picks 14, 45, and either 117 or 139. If Telesco wanted to really make them pay for that tackle, he would want to push for their highest fourth rounder at 117. This would give the Chargers three picks between 14 and 45, plus 71 in round three, and two of the first 11 picks on day three.

It would, however, likely cost them that quarterback or tackle prospect you may or may not desire. Instead, LA could “settle” for a player who may or may not end up doing better than who would have gone at six because it’s impossible to predict these things. It may also not work out.