LA Chargers: The potential cost of drafting Penei Sewell

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Justin Herbert #10 and Penei Sewell #58 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate a touchdown pass during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on September 21, 2019 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Justin Herbert #10 and Penei Sewell #58 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate a touchdown pass during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on September 21, 2019 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – LA Chargers

Is it worth it for the LA Chargers to trade up for Penei Sewell?

I know that some people are going to disagree with me but yes, it is absolutely worth it for the LA Chargers to do either of these trades. Of course, either the Falcons or Lions would have to be okay with trading down, but it would be worth it for the Chargers.

Sewell is a generational tackle. Yes, the Bolts can get a solid tackle at 13, but they are going to get the third best tackle inevitably and the difference between Christian Darrisaw or Alijah Vera-Tucker and Penei Sewell is big.

It would be a gamble for the Chargers but I do not think it is a terrible gamble. Sure, the team is losing next year’s first-round pick, but the Los Angeles Rams are proving that you don’t need first-round picks to be successful. Once that pick gets in the 24-32 range it loses a lot of value.

The Chargers would obviously be betting on being a playoff team then, and that is okay! This is a team that went 7-9 last season and was a Michael Badgley field goal and Austin Ekeler dropped lateral away from being 9-7. Heck, if Harrison Butker does not nail a 58-yarder then maybe the team even could’ve been 10-6.

This roster is top heavy but almost roster in the NFL is top heavy. If Brandon Staley is the coach that we think he is, and Herbert instantly gets one of the best tackles in the league, then this is a team that can go 10-7.

The Chargers have made seven first-round picks in the 20s since 2000. Kenneth Murray (only one year in), Jerry Tillery (not great), Jason Verrett (injury-prone), Antoine Cason (was a okay starter for three years), Craig Davis (bust), Luis Castillo (medicore defensive end) and Sammy Davis (bust).

This means nothing if the Chargers have another bad season but I cannot hate Tom Telesco betting on his team.

The mid-round picks are tradeable as well. The Chargers need to hold onto their second and one third-round pick this year to address cornerback and edge rusher, but they can afford to trade the rest.

If anything, Tom Telesco’s draft history should make us more comfortable if the Chargers have to trade this year’s 97th pick and next year’s third.

The only trade I would not do is the one that trades this year’s second and both thirds. It makes much more sense to just trade next year’s first as the 2021 team does need to fill out some of the roster.

I’d pull the trigger. What do you think? Let us know in the comments down below.

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