The Chargers have engaged in discussions about trading down from No. 5 overall, and that may well be the new Bolts regime’s goal. Other teams believe the Chargers are eager to move down in Round 1, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes.
As far as who would trade up, two AFC West clubs are checking in on what would be a high-profile intra-division transaction. The Broncos and Raiders have called to see about moving up to 5, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Vikings have also discussed trade terms with the Bolts (subscription required). Both Fowler and Russini point to the Chargers’ O-line interest in this draft, adding to an offseason full of buzz about this direction for Jim Harbaugh‘s team.
While the Bolts are clearly open for business at 5, Russini adds the team is setting a high price. The Vikings, Broncos and Raiders sit at Nos. 11-13; each team could need to part with a future first-rounder to make the climb up (presumably for a quarterback). Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick (No. 23) last month, but some around the league believe the NFC North team is trying to avoid parting with both selections to move up, Fowler adds. It would be rather surprising to see the Vikings secure a trade into the top five without needing to include No. 23, especially with that Texans trade costing the Vikes their 2024 second-rounder.
It would be interesting if the Chargers would be willing to deal with the Broncos or Raiders, given the divisional ties, but a weekend report indicated Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz would be open to doing so. Recent draft moves in the NFC North have revealed more flexibility regarding intra-division deals in the early rounds, but the Bolts handing the Broncos or Raiders a potential long-term quarterback solution would mark interesting territory in draft annals. With two of the QB-needy teams in this draft residing in the AFC West, however, the Chargers may not have a choice.
Of course, the Cardinals figure to determine how popular the Bolts’ No. 5 pick will be. Arizona has engaged in trade discussions as well, hearing from four teams (it does not seem to difficult to guess that quartet, with the Giants also exploring a move up the board for a QB) and receiving at least two offers thus far. The Cards trading out of No. 4 and giving a team QB access would stand to give the Bolts their pick of the best non-passers in this draft.
Despite having moved on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers have been connected to Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt. But they also are being tied to Alabama tackle JC Latham. Bolts-Latham connections, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, would seemingly come into play if the team traded down. Latham operated as the Crimson Tide’s starting right tackle for the past two seasons, and the accomplished blocker could fill that post for the Bolts, who do not need a left tackle due to Rashawn Slater‘s presence.
Both the Titans (No. 7) and Bengals (No. 18) have shown interest in Latham as well, according to Breer and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, who indicates teams view the prospect as a player who could play multiple positions along the O-line. Latham sits 18th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board.
Cincinnati likes Latham “a lot” and needs a right tackle, with Trent Brown in place as a potential one-year stopgap. The Titans have a bigger need on the left side, having moved on from Andre Dillard after one season. If Alt is there for Tennessee at 7, however, enough connections to this point suggest that is the All-American LT’s floor. If Alt is gone by 7, the Titans may well consider trading down, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Latham (or one of this class’ many other quality tackle prospects) would come into play for the LT-needy club in that scenario.
Take 11 and 23 Jim don’t overthink it
Should take Justin J and 23 instead.
But then they would be arrested for holding up Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at gunpoint.
It cost to move up in the top 5. We’ve had this discussion. Known value players are much better than draft picks. Truthfully, why give up 2 firsts for your 4th ranked QB? That’s how losing teams continue to lose (or be average).
Giving up your best player–and one of the top five non-QBs in football–to get your fourth ranked QB is even dumber.
Then why should any team move out of the top 5 for unknown talent available and how they’ll pan out. Every single mock has a different player going at 11 & 23. Why should the Chargers take the risk?
And you never answered why should the Vikes move up for their 4th ranked QB? Terrible mistake.
I’m not sure the Vikings should or will do that. Some reports have them loving Maye, who may well be there at 4. We don’t know their rankings or what they’ll do.
Meanwhile, I don’t think it’s a terrible sign that mocks have different players at 11 and 23. Lots of strong talent should be there at both those spots in areas the Chargers desperately need. Draft picks all carry some amount of uncertainty, but they also carry a great deal of value because of rookie deals. LA has tons of holes to fill and might be able to get two almost definite immediate starters with upside in areas of need, plus more draft capital next year. That’s pretty tempting.
Let Cousins walk (smart move in my opinion), add an extra 1st this year, but not trade up & draft a QB super high? That won’t sit well w/ their fans, especially with Justin. Do you really think Sam Arnold is the answer? They’ll be the laughing stock of the media. It’s a terrible look for them. You know that.
Too many 1st round busts to list, including top 5. So again, why should the Chargers move back for the unknown player’s talent? It’s a crap shoot. Everyone acknowledges that. So if you can get your preferred QB for hopefully the next decade plus, trade the assets you have.
In my opinion, the Chargers hold the power w/ the 5th pick, not the Vikings with 2 lower picks. They should leverage that.
The Vikings have tried drafting non premium quarterbacks in the first round and failed miserably with ponder and Teddy (teddys injury certainly didn’t help his development), but their fanbase is desperate for a franchise quarterback.
Even their former GM acknowledged this. The heat is on Kwesi. He knows he has to come out of this draft with one of the top quarterbacks. If they have to offer the farm to New England he’s gonna do it for Maye.
They have other options. Heck, I’d rather wait and draft Nix than trade a superstar and a first for QB3, let alone 4, and it’s not close.
From google about Nix: Still, his accuracy is inconsistent deep, and he threw some footballs behind receivers on slants. He only has modest arm strength, and his arm is not as powerful as many of the other top quarterback prospects in this draft class.
Good idea! Draft another soon to be back up.
The first three teams will select a top QB prospect. The Cardinals will trade out of the fourth spot to a QB needy team so that’s Williams, Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy off the board. Who’s left at five worth giving up a haul to trade into if you aren’t coming away with one of those four?
Undoubtedly there will be another QB who surprises experts in the NFL but I can’t think of one worth paying so much draft capital and gambling on with the fifth pick. Those QBs go either later in the first round or later rounds. The fourth pick however from the Cardinals holds fairly significant value
Exactly. Penix or Nix aren’t worth the 5th pick let alone what it would cost to jump to #5.
McCarthy isn’t worth a 1st round pick, let alone top 4-5.
In that scenario I could see teams trying to trade up a few spots to #5 to get their favorite non qb. Bears could move up from 9 to get Harrison to pair with Williams for example.
Read this about JJ.
link to sportsnaut.com
The most damning paragraph is this:
Part of the reasoning is likely tied to how little Harbaugh used McCarthy late in the season. During Michigan’s wins over Penn State, Maryland, Ohio State and Iowa, McCarthy combined for a 1-1 TD-INT line with 496 passing yards, averaging just 124 passing yards per game.