ClutchPoints
The Los Angeles Chargers are making a little noise this summer. But the team has a few players who might not make the cut before the season starts. Also, here are two sneaky Chargers trade candidates entering the team’s 2025 training camp.
Like many NFL teams, the Chargers are solidified from top to bottom along the offensive line. They could use a player to step up. Or perhaps a trade could bolster the unit for what promises to be a successful season.
It’s not like the Chargers could get a ton in return, but the first place they might want to look is a former first-round pick.
The 17th overall pick of the 2022 draft, the guard hasn’t lived up to his billing. He has started 49 games over three years, but his performances haven’t matched that status.
Last year, Johnson graded out at 65.7 overall, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranked No. 47 among 136 guards. He committed four penalties and allowed five sacks, a troublesome number that put him 117 in the league.
The Chargers are giving Johnson a look at the center position. That’s because Mekhi Becton and Bradley Bozeman have pushed Johnson from the starting ranks at guard.
The good news for the Chargers is they have a stud at the right tackle position, according to chargers.com.
“I think he’s on track for a Hall of Fame type of career,” Harbaugh said on the Chargers Weekly podcast with Matt “Money” Smith and Chris Hayre. “I do not feel like I’m going out on a ledge by saying that.
“As good as he was last year, I’d call him right now one of our most ascending players on the team. He’s that much better. That much improved. “He is so strong now. Ascending as much as any player on our team is Joe Alt going into Year 2.”
As for Johnson, Harbaugh said he likes what he has seen from the three-year veteran. He said Johnson’s ability to move to a new spot bodes well for the team.
“The versatility that we now have,” Harbaugh said. “Maybe the combination is going to be better with Zion at center and Boze at guard, but if it’s not, we know we have a great combination with Boze at center and Zion at guard. We feel like we’re in a really good place.”
But if Johnson can’t cut it at center, the Chargers might look to move him to a guard-hungry team. Perhaps they could get a starting center in return.
Another lineman in the potential trade mix is Pipkins at right tackle. There’s no playing time available at the position with Alt standing firm. So, Pipkins might be available to go elsewhere.
He graded out at 57.8 overall as a guard last season, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s No. 86 out of 136. But Pipkins has been moved to tackle.
Harbaugh...
