The 2020 NFL season saw the Los Angeles Chargers at their most aggressive as they tried to build for the future. In some ways, they did, but in others, they missed the mark.
Los Angeles had the sixth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and was able to select their franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert. A move that has worked out in their favor, as Herbert is still among one of the top young signal-callers in the league.
The Chargers would make a move later in the first round that would end up haunting them and even put them in a historical category they would not like to be a part of.
Chargers draft day trade is considered the worst in the last 10 years
Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox shared one trade from each NFL team that he considers to be the worst in the last 10 years. The Chargers' trade selected by Knox was made during the 2020 NFL Draft, where they traded up to the 23rd overall pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for the 37th and 71st overall picks, using the Patriots' pick to select linebacker Kenneth Murray.
The case of Murray is a classic example that statistics can sometimes be deceiving, as he might have had 100+ tackle seasons twice, but some numbers expose his faults. Knox also raises the possibility that the Chargers could have selected if they had stayed put.
"The Oklahoma product proved to be a serviceable starter for the Chargers but never anything more than that. He could record tackles in bunches but also had issues with missed tackles (23 in four seasons) and coverage (104.8 opposing passer rating in L.A.).
Had the Chargers not traded for Murray, they could have stayed at No. 37 and gotten a premier player like safety Antoine Winfield Jr., running back Jonathan Taylor or cornerback Jaylon Johnson. With the 71st pick, they could have snagged defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike or linebacker Zack Baun.
Instead, L.A. got Murray, who was allowed to walk after four largely forgettable seasons."
Murray played four seasons in Los Angeles, accumulating 321 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections, nine quarterback hits, five sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 59 games. The move was so much looked down upon by the organization, they did not pick up Murray's fifth-year option and he hit the free agent market last offseason.
He has gone on to start 14 games with the Tennessee Titans, but once again, the Titans let him walk in free agency. The Dallas Cowboys signed Murray during the offseason.
So far in Arlington, Murray appears to be playing the part, as the Cowboys' reporters have praised him during OTAs. When have Chargers fans heard this story before?
The possibilities are endless to see what the Chargers could have done if they hadn't been so aggressive during the 2020 NFL Draft. There was talent to be selected, but they made the wrong choice. It happens too often in the NFL, where decisions can make or break a team.
Los Angeles will chalk up Murray as a Hollywood box office failure and move on.