With this season's NFL trade deadline now nearly two weeks in the past, no more deals can be made between clubs until the new League Year begins next March.
But that hasn't stopped some from looking ahead a few months, one such analyst being Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon, who recently took the time to opine on the best trade chip for each of the 32 NFL franchises.
Plenty of high-profile players made Gagnon's list, including Las Vegas Raiders superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who may be the most notable name of them all. For those wondering about the rest of the AFC West, cornerback Riley Moss was the Denver Broncos' nominee, while fellow corner Kristian Fulton was listed for the Kansas City Chiefs. As for the Los Angeles Chargers, Gagnon returned to the pass-rusher route, interestingly opting for veteran linebacker Bud Dupree.
"Keenan Allen and Najee Harris would make sense if they didn't have expiring contracts, so we're forced to roll with the less appealing but well-established Dupree," Gagnon wrote. "This is assuming they extend newbie standout Odafe Oweh, and potentially keep veteran Khalil Mack. I'd lean toward that while seeing if someone will bite on Dupree ahead of a contract year. It starts with Tuli Tuipulotu being the guy now."
Bud Dupree? Really? We'll circle back to him in just a moment, but let's first focus on the other defenders mentioned.
One would genuinely think the Bolts would at least attempt to bring back Oweh, as the former first-rounder has undoubtedly made an impact since coming over from the Baltimore Ravens, racking up 4.0 sacks in his five games in a Los Angeles uniform.
And Mack—when healthy, of course—has had a solid season as well, tallying 4.0 sacks of his own in six games, so bringing him back in 2026 on another one-year deal could easily be on the table.
And Gagnon is undoubtedly spot-on in his assessment of Tuipulotu being "the guy now," as the 23-year-old is tied for fifth in the NFL with his team-leading 8.0 sacks. And as the 2023 second-rounder will be eligible for a contract extension come January, the Chargers will presumably make that a priority.
Given all of these things, it's at least somewhat understandable why Gagnon would discuss Los Angeles trading Dupree, as he's certainly not the player he once was, is clearly losing favor with the Chargers' coaching staff, and, as mentioned, is set to play the 2026 season on the final year of his contract.
But even saying "if" the Bolts can find a trade partner is a bit of a stretch, don't you think? With all due respect, it's difficult to believe that any team would be willing to give up even a Day 3 draft pick for a declining defender who turns 33 in February.
Sure, Dupree has a very manageable 2026 salary cap hit of just $3.755 million. Even so, a late-round draft pick would still be cheaper, and, at this point, might be just as productive, as Dupree has tallied just 11 total tackles, one QB hit, and one sack in 10 games this season. And with his snap counts on the decline—he took just 16 defensive snaps in Week 9 and only 14 in Week 10—those numbers aren't likely to rise by much as the season progresses.
So, the Chargers could certainly try to trade Dupree, but the far more likely scenario is that they'll just cut him, which would only cost them $250,000 in dead-cap money.
Looking at some of the other players on the Chargers' roster who will be in contract years in 2026, tight end Will Dissly would undoubtedly make for an intriguing trade chip, given the emergence of Oronde Gadsen II.
If the Bolts choose not to exercise the fifth-year option of wideout Quentin Johnston, he'd be playing the 2026 campaign on the final year of his rookie deal. Daiyan Henley would seemingly command more in return than Dupree in a trade, and even someone like Derius Davis could fit that category as well.
Dupree