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One Man the Chargers Should Look To Trade for Who Could Be a Building Block
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- One Man the Chargers Should Look To Trade for Who Could Be a Building Block
There are several players on the roster of the Los Angeles Chargers who are considered trade candidates and either have or could generate interest from other teams on the market. Depending on how the team plays its cards, it could end up with a nice little infusion of draft capital once the Nov. 10 trade deadline arrives.
Oddly enough, according to multiple reports, the Chargers have been unwilling to engage in trade talks with other teams, although at least one insider expects that stance to change in the coming days.
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With a 0-7 record, they aren't really in position to be buyers ahead of the deadline. But one analyst identified a player it should go after in order to start remodeling its roster.
A possible upgrade on the offensive line
While Los Angeles has two studs at the offensive tackle position in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, the interior of its offensive line has been weak for quite some time. General manager Joe Hortiz has come under fire for, among other things, failing to address this weakness.
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Seth Walder of ESPN wrote in a recent article that L.A. should make a move for Jackson Powers-Johnson, a promising young guard who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
"The only acquisition the Chargers should be making is one aimed at the future, and they've struggled to find reliable play in the interior of their offensive line for years," Walder wrote. "Powers-Johnson was recently benched, and the Chargers could take a stab at developing him in hopes of realizing the potential that made him a second-round pick in 2024. Powers-Johnson is under contract through 2027."
Powers-Johnson's Pro Football Focus grades (subscription required) this season aren't exactly good — he has a 43.6 run-blocking grade and a 48.1 overall grade. But his 63.8 pass-blocking grade is decent, and last season, his overall grade was at 63.8 after posting a 63.9 overall grade as a rookie.
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He shouldn't cost too much, and trading for him would give the Chargers the opportunity to evaluate him before deciding whether they still need more help at the guard spots this offseason.
Their starting guards this season — Kayode Awosika and Cole Strange — have left a lot to be desired. Awosika hasn't played since Week 2 due to a fibula injury, and their backups, including Trey Pipkins III, Logan Taylor and Jake Slaughter, haven't exactly gotten the job done either.
As a result, quarterback Justin Herbert has never felt comfortable this season, and he continues to get pressured and hit about as much as any other NFL signal-caller. Through seven games, he has been sacked 23 times, which is tied for the second-most sacks in the league, and last year, he was sacked 54 times.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
