After just two seasons on the roster, the Los Angeles Chargers could trade running back Isaiah Spiller before he ever plays a down with Jim Harbaugh. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Spiller was largely seen as a steal by the draft experts. During his collegiate years, the running back recorded 2,993 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns to go along with 585 receiving yards and an additional score. Unfortunately, that success has yet to translate to the NFL level, as the Texas A&M product has just 137 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 55 career attempts (2.5 yards per carry).
Perhaps he wasn’t a fit for Brandon Staley’s offense, but he probably won’t have a chance to prove himself under Harbaugh. Despite losing Austin Ekeler to the Washington Commanders, the duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will likely keep Spiller off the field. A change of scenery could be best for Isaiah Spiller, and Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report believes the team should shop him around. While nobody will give up too much for the former fourth-round pick, the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers might be willing to do a conditional pick swap.
Chargers Could Trade Isaiah Spiller to Cowboys, Panthers
After promising to go all-in, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have been remarkably quiet throughout the 2024 offseason. The team has not made too many notable additions, star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is holding out, and franchise quarterback Dak Prescott is entering the final year of his contract. Isaiah Spiller won’t fix all those issues, but the trade candidate could play a role in this underwhelming backfield.
Ezekiel Elliott is back, but he’s not the same player who led the league in rushing yards per game for three straight seasons. Age has taken its toll on the nine-year veteran, as he lacks the burst, physicality, and overall athleticism that made him a top-five pick all those years ago. Joining him in this backfield is the underwhelming trio of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman. None of these players can handle starting duties, and while the same is true of Isaiah Spiller, a trade could improve the depth here. The recent addition of Carl Lawson implies Dallas is still open to fine-tuning their roster, and perhaps Spiller can live up to his pre-draft potential on America’s Team.
Emergency Depth In Carolina
The Carolina Panthers have their long-term answer at running back in second-round pick Jonathon Brooks. However, they still need to find their short-term solution as the Texas product works his way back from an ACL injury. Chuba Hubbard is a fine short-term starter, but the running back already had an injury scare earlier in camp. While he should be fine in the long run, this injury shows the lack of depth on the roster. Isaiah Spiller might not be a superstar, but the trade target could be a better option than Miles Sanders.
Signed to a respectable contract last offseason, Sanders proved to be one of the least efficient running backs in the league. Despite the heavy financial investment, the former Eagle lost the starting job early in the season and never came close to earning it back. Spiller and Sanders could easily compete for the same role, and the fourth-round pick could come out on top.
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