The NFL trade deadline is less than a week away. Trading ends Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT.
Will the Los Angeles Chargers make a move?
They are definitely in a buyer’s position. At 4-3 through eight weeks, the Chargers currently hold the seventh and final spot in the AFC playoff picture. Given their remaining schedule, including very winnable games against the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans over the next two weeks, the Chargers should be in the mix down the stretch. They have roster holes they should be eager to address, even just for the short term. They have $7.6 million in cap space. And they have a general manager in Joe Hortiz who has already proved willing to find answers on the trade market.
Whether the Chargers make a deadline deal will come down to finding the right player at the right salary for the right draft capital price.
I think the Chargers should be targeting two primary positions: receiver and cornerback. They could use a pass-catching tight end, but I do not see a viable candidate on the market. The Browns’ David Njoku is a hot name, but he could cost too much in terms of draft capital. I could see the Chargers parting with a later Day 3 pick, not much more. Hayden Hurst is also getting closer to playing after missing two games with a groin injury.
The Chargers should get some receiver reinforcements this week or next week. Quentin Johnston is back in practice after missing two games with an ankle injury. DJ Chark has been practicing for two weeks and is nearing the end of his injured reserve activation window. Even with Johnston and Chark back, though, I think the Chargers could use more depth and talent in this position group for the second half. They missed out on a number of available receivers. Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins and Diontae Johnson have all been traded already this season. The pool of options has shrunk considerably over the past two weeks.
At cornerback, the Chargers are navigating injuries. Kristian Fulton is dealing with a hamstring issue. Ja’Sir Taylor has a fibula injury. Asante Samuel Jr. is on IR with a shoulder injury, and coach Jim Harbaugh would not say for sure this week that Samuel will return this season. Rookies Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have shown promise while filling in, but the Chargers are one more injury away from a very precarious situation at corner. I think they would be wise to add a veteran piece at this spot.
And so here are five trades the Chargers could make ahead of the deadline, focusing on those two positions:
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Tre’Davious White, CB, Los Angeles Rams
Compensation: Seventh-round pick
Earlier this week, coach Sean McVay said the Rams have given White and his agent permission to seek a trade. White, a former first-team All-Pro, has battled injuries after an impressive start to his career. White tore his ACL in 2021. He tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4 of last season. The Rams signed him to an incentive-heavy contract in the offseason. The plan was to give White time to get healthy, but he was forced to start right away because of injuries. He struggled at times and has now been a healthy scratch for the Rams’ last three games. I watched the tape of his last start in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears. I saw some really encouraging signs in coverage. He got called for a pass interference in the end zone in the second quarter on a bang-bang play. That colored his performance to a degree. The call could have gone either way. He did lack some physicality in run support. I think he could provide valuable veteran insurance for the Chargers. Depending on what happens with Fulton’s hamstring, White could have an opportunity to challenge for playing time, which is what he is seeking. White would only cost $1.53 million against the cap, according to figures from Over the Cap, and he is a free agent after this season.
Sean McVay says team gave permission for Tre White and his agent to explore a trade and they’ve all talked about it. McVay said he’d be happy if White did stay, reiterating how well he has carried himself even when inactive – but understands if he wants to go compete. Rams will
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 28, 2024
Mike Williams, WR, New York Jets
Compensation: Conditional seventh-round pick (turns into sixth with production conditions)
If the Jets truly come to terms with their reality at 2-6, they should be selling ahead of the deadline. Williams has just one reception on two targets since the Jets traded for Adams. The Chargers cut Williams in March for cap reasons, but they were open to bringing him back. The Jets gave Williams a contract that the Chargers were unwilling to match. But now the Chargers might have an opportunity to bring him back at a low cost, in terms of draft capital and salary. The Chargers would take on $4.2 million if they assume the remainder of Williams’ salary, according to Over the Cap. He has a proven rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert. He would give them the type of field-stretching ball-winner they are lacking. The deal makes a ton of sense.
D.J. Reed, CB, New York Jets
Compensation: Fourth-round pick
Sticking with the Jets here. Reed might be too costly. The Chargers would have to take on $6.1 million if they incur all of Reed’s remaining salary, according to Over the Cap. But perhaps the Chargers could sweeten the deal with a better Day 3 pick and have the Jets take on some of that remaining salary. Reed is a free agent after this season. He is still a really good player in his age-28 season. He could sign a sizable free-agent contract if he hits the open market after this season. That means he would factor into the comp pick formula if the Chargers trade for him and let him walk. So in this scenario, they give up a fourth-round pick for Reed. But he might end up factoring into the comp pick formula as a fifth-round pick. That is a part of the calculus. The Chargers do not necessarily need a corner of this level, but it is worth making a call.
K.J. Osborn, WR, New England Patriots
Compensation: Seventh-round pick
Osborn signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Patriots in March after a nice run in Minnesota. Osborn caught 158 passes for 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns from 2021 to ’23 with the Vikings. He has only caught seven passes on 17 targets for 57 yards in six games for New England this season. The Patriots are vying for the No. 1 pick. They should be in sell mode. Osborn would only cost $1.03 million for the remainder of this season, according to Over the Cap. He has shown he can be a legitimate No. 3-type receiver with quality quarterback play.
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
Compensation: Sixth-round pick
Like the Patriots, the Giants are 2-6. Another lost season, and they should be selling. Slayton would cost $1.81 million for the remainder of this season, according to Over the Cap. He has been a consistent performer since the Giants drafted him in the fifth round in 2019. Slayton has 29 catches for 420 yards on the season.
(Top photos of Tre’Davious White and Mike Williams: Norm Hall and Luke Hales / Getty Images)
