Since essentially the conclusion of the Los Angeles Chargers' short-lived postseason run, fans' attention has been turned towards the 2026 NFL Draft.
Although the Chargers addressed a number of needs in free agency, their first-round path is still mostly up in the air. If they can nab a star guard like Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State, it seems like they would spring at the opportunity. But there are still needs to fill along the defense, and any number of defensive tackles and edge rushers could be in play. It's also not a complete impossibility they choose to add a wide receiver at this spot given Quentin Johnston's looming fifth-year option.
But it's seeming more and more like Ioane will be snatched up before Los Angeles selects at 22nd overall. If that's the case, perhaps the smartest move would be to trade down out of the first round, amassing additional Day 2 draft capital.
If that is the route they're ultimately forced to choose, the Las Vegas Raiders could be the perfect trade partner.
The Chargers and Raiders could do a draft-day swap to fill both organizations' needs
With the way free agency has played out, Los Angeles needs to get a guard in the draft who can compete for a starting spot. There's no way around that fact. But if Ioane is off the board, they can likely get that guard in the second or third round. Players such as Chase Bisontis and Beau Stephens will almost certainly be available in that range.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, has three primary needs to fill: quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle. According to Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, these three needs will be difficult to fill outright with the current slate of Raiders selections.
"If the Raiders still had Baltimore’s first-round pick, they’d be able to solve their quarterback, tackle and wide receiver needs with their first three selections in this draft. As it stands, I’m not sure that’ll be possible without more movement."- Nick Baumgardner
An additional first-round pick slipped from Las Vegas' grasp when the Maxx Crosby trade fell through. If they want to nab a premier player at each of those three positions, trading up into the first round could allow them to grab one of the class's best tackles while also grabbing Fernando Mendoza and a receiver such as Germie Bernard in the early second round.
The Raiders currently have 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chargers, meanwhile, have just five. They do not have a selection in the fifth or seventh round.
While Baumgardner has Las Vegas trading with the Chicago Bears to get back into the 20s, Los Angeles' interests could very well intersect with their rival's on draft day.