LA Chargers: Why trading up for Penei Sewell isn’t worth it

The LA Chargers’ 2022 first-round pick

This is the main roadblock for me in trying to get on board with a trade-up in the draft for the LA Chargers. In all likelihood, they would have to give up next year’s first-round pick, as we’ve seen with the two recent draft trades.

The Chargers are not in the position Miami was in, nor are they in the position San Francisco was in. Miami has accumulated tons of draft capital and is a team that’s ready to compete for the playoffs right now, assuming some development from Tua Tagovailoa. Even with a murky quarterback situation last year, they could’ve easily made the playoffs.

San Francisco is in winnow mode based on the roster construction and is specifically a quarterback away. The Chargers are in the complete opposite situation where they have their guy at quarterback, but need everything else.

I believe in Brandon Staley’s vision. If we’re being realistic though, he’s going to have some growing pains this year. This is the case for most first-year coaches. Taking away draft capital from future drafts does not seem wise, especially with a defensive-minded coach who’s trying to build up a well-rounded team.

Let’s say the Chargers have approximately the same record or slightly better in 2021. They may very well be waiting until day two or after the top 50 of the 2022 draft to get their first selection. The Chargers won’t fix all of their holes in one draft. They need a first-round pick in next year’s draft and probably the year after that before they can start making winnow moves in the first round.