LA Chargers: 5 most tradable players on the Chargers roster

Most tradable player on the LA Chargers: Desmond King II

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and there is plenty of reason to believe that there is a fire right under Desmond King’s seat this year.

For starters, the Chargers signed Chris Harris Jr. this offseason and told him that he would primarily be playing in King’s slot position. Of course, the versatile King may do well in a transition to playing safety or Adrian Phillips’ utility role, but having a player signed to take your exact position is never a good sign.

Then, of course, there is the fact that coach Anthony Lynn has faced discipline issues with King. Last season, King was suspended for one game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15. Furthermore, when King claimed to not be responsible for a blown play last year, Lynn openly stated that it was King’s fault.

Lastly, there is the depth behind King that makes him seem expendable. Obviously, slot corner seems to be less of an option now with Harris taking King’s spot. If you plan on moving King to safety, there is excellent depth all around him, with Rayshawn Jenkins and Nasir Adderley needing roles on the defense.

Of course, depth is an incredibly important asset in the NFL, particularly if you are planning on trying to make a playoff run. The injuries in the secondary last year played a major role in the poor final record in 2019.

Furthermore, after a down 2019, the value that would be attained in compensation for Desmond King makes it unlikely that the Chargers are interested in trading King. Relatively poor packages, such as the Riley Reiff for King deal that has recently been discussed, are responsible for why King has not yet been traded and is unlikely to be traded in the preseason.

Perhaps some way into the season, it may make more sense for the LA Chargers to try to get some immediate value out of King in a trade. If Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton, and Sam Tevi fail to impress at left tackle, perhaps the trade for Reiff makes more sense.

Simply put, there is not a compelling reason to trade King now, but events that may occur during the season, including a poor performance by the team as a whole, may make trading Desmond King a likely outcome. All of the factors listed above, including depth at the position, the fact that his replacement was signed, and discipline issues, make him the most tradable Charger.