LA Chargers: Potential trade destinations for Melvin Ingram
By Steven Haglund
LA Chargers third potential trade option: New York Jets
If there’s a team out there that needs to upgrade the talent on the roster it’s the New York Jets. This would be unfortunate for Ingram as he’d go from a legitimate playoff contender to arguably the worst run organization in the league, but if all he wants is to get paid the Jets have the space and picks to make this happen.
Similar to the Texans, the Jets also run a 3-4 defense, so the swap isn’t as clean as it was with the Falcons. Ingram would have to learn a whole new system, granted he did play in a similar one for the first couple seasons of his career but playing LEO in the Chargers system and playing outside linebacker in the Jets system is different.
It’s hard to identify any clear talent swap besides picks out of the Jets. Fortunately, the Jets do have the picks to get this done. In this case I wouldn’t send any picks back to the Jets. Ingram for a 2021 and 2022 second-round pick should get the job done.
LA Chargers fourth potential trade option: Arizona Cardinals
If there is a team that seems to be going for it in 2020, it’s the Arizona Cardinals. They swung a deal for DeAndre Hopkins and got a steal, one that should pay big dividends in the development of Kyler Murray.
However, the overall play of the defense is still an issue. Chandler Jones is an outstanding player and is hyper-productive. Outside of Jones and Budda Baker, there aren’t many blue-chip players on this roster anymore. Alex Insdorf’s beloved Isaiah Simmons should become that, but Patrick Peterson is well past his prime.
Maybe Byron Murphy develops into a top tier corner, but Jones and Baker need help. Similar to Joey Bosa, Jones constantly faces double teams and needs someone to come take the pressure off. Ingram would be a big-time upgrade at a position of need for the Cardinals and in theory elevate them at least above the Los Angeles Rams in the division and possibly more.
I liked Devon Kennard when he was coming out of USC in 2014 and he seems to have found a nice role as a situational pass rusher in Arizona and could come in and do the same as fellow trojan Nwosu moves into the starting role.
Next. Why Ingram's holdout is different from Gordon's
This trade would be similar to the others involving players, but I wouldn’t send any other picks. Simply proposing Ingram for Kennard and a 2021 second-round pick and 2022 fifth-round pick should get the job done, in theory.