LA Chargers: Ranking the 5 most important positions to trade for before the deadline

4. Wide Receiver

Over the course of the 2021 season, the Chargers have gotten solid production out of their wide receivers, particularly Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

However, due to inconsistencies at receiver against the Baltimore Ravens and some unique receivers that are available, Chargers fans have been clamoring for the team to look to add a receiver.

In the same way that the Chargers chose to take a proven player in Dustin Hopkins over the developing but promising Tristan Vizcaino, the Chargers could choose to seek out a more experienced option for their third wide receiver spot than Jalen Guyton or Josh Palmer.

If you look at the production of Guyton and Palmer, such an acquisition starts to make more sense. Jalen Guyton is the third leading wide receiver in yardage, and he has averaged just barely more than 20 yards per game. Guyton and Palmer are absolutely not players that opponents need to gameplan against.

Many of the true contending teams are three, if not four, deep at receiver. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown. The Buffalo Bills have Stefon DIggs, Emmanuel Sanders, and Cole Beasley. The Los Angeles Rams have Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson.

The Chargers could stand to really open up their offense if they brought in a talented third receiver.

However, the options out there simply are not great. Brandin Cooks is the best receiver out there, but he is likely to cost a second round pick and more. Also, he has a hefty cap hit in the next year of his contract, which would take away the Chargers ability to re-sign Mike Williams.

Desean Jackson is another player who may be available at a lower cost. His speed is evident, but he is not really a consistent threat as an all-around receiver at this point.

If you want to read more about why to avoid a wide receiver on the trade market, our leading writer Jason Reed makes a great case in this article. Generally, while a great receiver could open up the offense, the price is likely not worth it.