With only five draft picks and multiple roster holes, the Chargers may need to trade back to build depth. Turning one pick into several could be the smartest path forward—but only if they don’t pass on a true difference-maker.
The Los Angeles Chargers find themselves in an interesting spot heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Armed with just five total selections — including the No. 22 overall pick — this is not a draft where they can afford many misses. After a relatively quiet free agency period and a roster that still has clear holes, the question becomes obvious: should the Chargers consider trading back to acquire more picks?
On the surface, the answer feels like a strong yes.
This roster still needs help in several key areas. The offensive line remains a concern, especially with inconsistent play and turnover in recent seasons. There are also questions on the defensive front, particularly at edge rusher depending on how offseason departures shake out. When you combine those needs with limited draft capital, it’s clear the Chargers don’t have the luxury of addressing everything with just five selections.
That’s what makes trading back such an appealing strategy.
By moving down from No. 22, the Chargers could potentially turn one premium pick into two — or even three — additional selections. In a draft where depth could be more valuable than star power, that kind of flexibility matters. More picks mean more chances to hit on contributors, and for a team that needs to build out its depth, that’s critical. As it stands, the Chargers have no fifth-round pick and weren’t awarded any compensatory selections, further limiting their margin for error.
There’s also a practical element to consider. This draft class is widely viewed as having solid depth in the middle rounds, which makes trading back even more attractive. Instead of reaching for a player at No. 22, the Chargers could slide back, stay within a similar talent tier, and still land a player who fills a need — all while adding extra assets.
However, trading back isn’t without its risks.
The biggest concern is passing on a potential difference-maker. If there’s a high-end offensive lineman or elite defensive prospect sitting on the board at 22, moving back could mean missing out on a player who can immediately elevate the team. For a franchise built around a quarterback like Justin Herbert, protecting him should remain a top priority. Sometimes the best move isn’t accumulating more picks — it’s landing the right player.
There’s also the reality that more picks don’t guarantee success. Draft history is filled with examples of teams stockpiling selections only to miss on a majority of them. Quality still outweighs quantity, and the Chargers’ front office will need to be confident in their evaluations if they choose to move back.
Ultimately, this decision will come down to how the board falls on draft night.
If the Chargers are staring at a cluster of similarly graded players, trading back makes a ton of sense. It allows them to maximize value and address multiple needs in one weekend. But if a true difference-maker is available, staying put — and making the pick — could be the smarter move.
Given their current situation, though, it’s hard to ignore the logic of trading back. With only five picks and multiple roster holes to fill, the Chargers need more swings at the plate. And in this case, more swings might be exactly what they need to get back into contention.