Although the Los Angeles Chargers currently hold the fifth overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft, they might actually end up with the metaphorical first overall pick. They could be in position to select the first non-quarterback at No. 5.
As a result, the organization is not interested in a “fair trade.”
General manager Joe Horitz made it abundantly clear that equal value is not of interest. He wants to be offered a trade so good that he cannot say no if he is going to trade back from the fifth pick.
There’s certainly, “it’s took good of a deal”, in terms of what you’re getting back. They have to make it attractive to us for us to move away from those players. The whole, “it’s a fair trade, it’s a wash”. I don’t think that’s a trade we’re interested in.
— Joe Horitz
His logic stems from how the draft is expected to go. Chicago, Washington and New England are going to take quarterbacks. Three of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye will be drafted No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Arizona is slated to pick at No. 4, but the buzz is that the Cardinals will trade back so another team can take whichever of the four quarterbacks remain.
And then there are the Chargers at No. 5. If all goes according to plan, they will have there pick of the litter when it comes to the best non-signal-callers in the NFL Draft. Los Angeles could take Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the offensive lineman or one of the edge rushers. If Harrison ends up going fourth overall, one of the other wide receivers might be in play.
All of this goes to say that there is a wealth of talent at No. 5.
Thus, Horitz is open to a trade— if it is unbalanced in his favor. A deal of such nature would include “as many picks as [he] can get this year.” He also sees the value in stockpiling picks for the future.
Any offers of equal value will not be considered. Should Los Angeles trade down from the fifth pick, it will be an offer that is significantly overvalued with draft picks both current and future!