The NFL trade deadline is close.
Sitting at 3-4 and still in a spot to make a playoff run, the Chargers could afford to add some reinforcements at positions of need.
With that said, each Chargers Wire writer laid out a player that Los Angeles should look to inquire about.
Gavino: TE Geoff Swaim
Familiarity plays a part in the players the Chargers bring in. After being drafted by the Cowboys in 2015, Swaim played under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier. Swaim doesn’t offer much in the passing game, but he is a solid blocker, which is something the Chargers need in the worst way. Across eight seasons, Swaim has 100 receptions for 752 yards and six touchdowns.
Alex K: S John Johnson III
A player Chargers fans were rabid about signing this offseason to add depth to the secondary, Johnson instead inked a deal for just $940,000 against the cap with the other inhabitants of SoFi Stadium. He’s played only nine snaps all season after clocking at least 900 snaps in each of the last three years. The Rams are evidently leaning into a youth movement on defense, with second-year safety Russ Yeast starting over the 28-year-old Johnson. Alohi Gilman is returning from his injury. Dean Marlowe has played well, but adding a veteran with experience in the Brandon Staley defense could be valuable and should come at a low cost.
Alex I: TE Hunter Henry
The Chargers should reunite Justin Herbert with his former tight end from his rookie year.
This is a deal that, in my mind, makes sense for both sides. The Patriots are quickly falling out of contention and will probably look to sell assets if their season doesn’t turn around by the deadline. Henry’s contract is expiring and all of his guaranteed money has been paid out.
If the Patriots wanted a draft pick in return, they’d probably agree to eat some Henry’s cap number to make the deal work. Keep in mind that both sides did do business with the Jackson trade, where the Chargers ate money to push it through. There is a working relationship.
Speaking about the Chargers’ tight end room from a purely football perspective, they need more. Gerald Everett is not on pace to match his receiving numbers from last season, and the blocking has been poor. Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt rank towards the bottom of the league as blockers. Per PFF, Henry is on pace to have his highest-graded season as a pass blocker since he’s been in the pros.
There’s a working relationship on both sides, plus familiarity. If the Chargers want to upgrade at tight end, calling the Patriots about Henry seems like a no-brainer.
Juliette: TE Kyle Pitts
Nearly every great quarterback in the NFL has had their favorite tight end target – and the Chargers had one of the all-time greats in Antonio Gates. Herbert loves to target tight ends when he can, and while Gerald Everett is a great player, he’s not at the top of the game. Donald Parham has also been a prime target for Herbert this year and has proven to be an end zone threat, but he’s not a TE1 and he’s struggled with both injuries and consistency on the field for the past few seasons. The Falcons have been underutilizing Pitts since he was drafted, and the Chargers could truly benefit from a young TE that could grow and develop with Herbert as his contract goes on. Pitts currently has 333 yards over 28 receptions and one touchdown.
