ClutchPoints
It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Chargers need a wide receiver in the first round. This is true even though they’ve considered the possibility of bringing back Keenan Allen. But here is the Chargers’ perfect 2025 NFL Draft trade.
The Chargers have 10 picks, but five of them are in the sixth and seventh rounds. It’s hard to imagine the receiver room getting much of an upgrade in those rounds. Also, they might not be able to get the game-changer they desire at pick No. 22.
So the Chargers have to give some thought to trading up in the first round. The questions are how high, which trading partner, and which receiver to target? They need
First, the target. Golden’s 4.29 time in the 40 during the combine should have the Chargers’ attention. He would be great in a pairing with Ladd McConkey, especially because of his versatility. He gets high marks overall, according to nfl.com.
“Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future.
Golden improved in terms of contested catches in 2024, and his route running is top notch, according to nytimes.com.
“Fluid in and out of his breaks, Golden shows a plan as a route runner,” Dane Brugler wrote. “I love his ability to break down corners by keeping his eyes, hips, and feet in sync. That coordination also translates to the catch point with his very natural ball skills to track, frame, and finish. Overall, it might bother some teams that he doesn’t have better size, but Golden also doesn’t have any glaring flaws to his game that would keep him from becoming a productive pro. He can play inside or outside and become the go-to target for an NFL offense.”
So with the player target in focus …
The draft is always unpredictable. Some mocks have Golden being available when the Chargers take their turn. Others have him going at No. 10 to the Bears, or No. 14 to the Colts.
Probably the best strategy would be for the Chargers to wait and see if Golden clears the Bears at No. 10 because they probably don’t have the draft capital to make that kind of a jump. They could also hold out and hope the Colts don’t grab him.
Then the Chargers could make their deal with the Bengals. They could offer to swap first-round picks, five spots, and give the Bengals pick No. 55. This would give...
