The Los Angeles Chargers are 2-2 at their bye week. A team coached by Jim Harbaugh is not going to allow mediocrity to continue in their building, so expect to see moves made.
Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz worked under the Ravens as their former Director of Player Personnel, which allows him to draw from the books of Ozzie Newsome and now elite General Manager Eric DeCosta. Both General Managers were known for their aggression with trades, especially in-season.
The most recent notable trade is the 2022 Roquan Smith trade. A player that immediately changed the team’s defensive identity. A player who was voted First-Team All-Pro.
All of this is to say, that the Chargers are in desperate need of change across their offensive line, specifically the Center position. Although trading for a First-Team All-Pro type of Center is nearly impossible mid-season, expecting an addition to replace or challenge the struggling Bradley Bozeman could very well be expected.
Trade Candidates to Replace Chargers’ Biggest Weakness
Robert Hainsey
The first of trade candidates for the Chargers is former 2021 third-round selection, Robert Hainsey. Reigning from the Buccaneers, Hainsey has 2,308 snaps at Center through his first three years in the league. In this most recent draft he was replaced by first-round selection, Graham Barton. The Buccaneers felt they could most improve their team by that selection, leaving Hainsey to be moved to the bench.
However, Hainsey was not a major issue for the Buccaneers and is now touted as very strong depth. Fans of the team even argued for him to start at left guard before the season. The Buccaneers are now in a place where they do not need his services and could deal him out for some value before he hits free agency.
Pros:
- 26 years old
- Two years of starting experience
- Low-cost addition both in draft capital and cap space
- 66.9 Pass blocking PFF grade in two years fully starting
- Has played under three different offensive coordinators, showing scheme versatility
Cons:
- Free agent after season
- Gave up four sacks in 2023
- Average run blocker
- 9 Penalties in 2023
Daniel Brunskill
The veteran stop-gap idea has not worked with Bradley Bozeman. Adding a guy like Daniel Brunskill to the team on paper is likely to give a very similar result to what the Chargers already have in the building with Bozeman.
Brunskill is a versatile offensive lineman who plays all five spots. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans in 2023 and started the majority of that season for them. However, in 2024, under new head coach Brian Callahan, Brunskill was relegated to the bench.
Although a valuable depth piece for the Titans, he could be moved to allow younger talents to move up the depth chart. Titans are a team that is down a selection as they used their third-round pick to acquire L’Jarius Sneed. Another late-day three selection from the hypothetical trading of Brunskill could allow them more flexibility.
Pros:
- Veteran who has played under different offenses
- Has played all five positions
- 67.1 and 69.0 overall offensive grade in 2023 and 2022, respectively
- 1 penalty in the last 1300~ snaps
Cons:
- Free agent after the season
- May cost a bit more than expected, due to versatility
Luke Fortner
Another addition could be the 2022 third-round selection, Luke Fortner. His career in Jacksonville has not gone as planned after having a solid rookie season showing enough promise to give the team hope for his future. However, 2023 was a very bad season for the Kentucky Wildcat Center.
The Jaguars are crumbling before our eyes and could very well be looking to destroy and rebuild. They are a prime team “selling” trade candidates, and trading Fortner while he still might have any value could be something that intrigues Jacksonville. At 26, a day two draft status and has promising tape from his rookie season.
Pros:
- 26 years old
- 2,282 snaps at Center
- Day two draft status
- Promising tape in 2022
- Under rookie contract next season
Cons:
- Very below-average run blocker with a career 47.0 PFF run block rating
- Four sacks given up in 2023
- Five penalties in 2023
- Replaced in 2024 due to performance
Change is Hopefully Near
All of these are intriguing trade candidates for the Chargers to consider during their bye week all the way leading up to the trade deadline. A team in desperate need of change could very well search for it.
Main Photo: Bob Self/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWORK
