As we approach the 2026 NFL Draft, it's getting harder to find mock drafts and draft analysis that propose unique solutions for the Los Angeles Chargers and other teams across the league.
Bill Barnwell at ESPN found a way to circumvent that in his yearly "all trades" mock. Crafted with the stipulation that each team must trade their first-round pick in order to move up or down in the draft, it's an interesting take on the usual mock draft format. While he makes clear it's purely a thought exercise, it certainly yields some interesting scenarios.
For Los Angeles, it puts the spotlight on an uncomfortable question surrounding Quentin Johnston. In Barnwell's mock draft, the Chargers trade the 22nd overall pick and Quentin Johnston in exchange for the Carolina Panthers' selection at 19th overall and a fifth-round selection.
The Chargers actually make two separate trades in this mock draft by virtue of each of Barnwell's deals existing in a vacuum. But the Johnston trade is easily more intriguing.
Would Los Angeles actually be willing to move on from Johnston, especially at this reasonable a price?
Quentin Johnston is sneakily the Chargers' trickiest problem this offseason
In evaluating this mock trade, two things must be laid out explicitly. Firstly, it matters quite a bit who the Chargers would be trading up to grab. Olaivavega Ioane is the top guard in this draft class. If he falls past the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens, this type of deal would allow Los Angeles to leapfrog the Pittsburgh Steelers and take Ioane for themselves.
If they're able to add a fifth-round pick in the process, it could be a majorly beneficial move.
Secondly, it also matters what Johnston's value is on the trade market. He's shown flashes of being an elite X-archetype receiver throughout his three seasons with the Chargers. But drops and inconsistencies in production have clouded that projection. Last season, he posted 337 yards and four touchdowns through the first four games of the season, only to virtually disappear in Weeks 5-14. He had a major resurgence in Weeks 15 and 16, amassing 202 yards between those two outings.
But it remains difficult to ascertain what Johnston's long-term ceiling is as a playmaker.
Even though the Chargers used a first-round pick on him in 2023, his $16 million fifth-year option presents a distinctly difficult choice. In a vacuum, therefore, this trade would be more than fair. Ensuring your access to the best guard in the draft and also adding a Day 3 pick would make this an easy decision for most organizations.
But Joe Hortiz has routinely shown his unwillingness to take such gambles. If the front office feels like they're selling low on Johnston, it remains highly unlikely they move him this offseason.
For better or worse, Johnston will almost certainly remain a Charger in 2026, even if it comes at the cost of the most desirable guard in the draft.