Jun 13, 2024; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh joins hands in a huddle with tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89), running back J.K. Dobbins (27), quarterback Justin Herbert (10) and receiver Ladd McConkey (15) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL draft is often filled with major, headline-grabbing trades that are remembered for years and set a benchmark for future deals. However, there are also numerous smaller, yet highly impactful trades that go underappreciated. Joe Hortiz, the new General Manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, managed to execute one such trade.
Reasoning for the Trade
After the first night of the draft, the Los Angeles Chargers had secured a new offensive tackle, Joe Alt. However, many fans were clamoring for a wide receiver, a need that had not been addressed in the first round. As the second round began, several intriguing wide receiver options were still available, including Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman, Ja’Lynn Polk, and AD Mitchell. When the Buffalo Bills selected Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall pick, it became clear to the Chargers that the remaining receivers would soon be off the board, and waiting until their 37th pick might be too late.
Joe Hortiz decided to act quickly and sought a trade to move up in the second round. He managed to negotiate a deal without giving up much capital, which was exactly what the Chargers needed.
From the Patriots’ perspective, their target was Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who was projected as a late second-round pick. The Patriots realized that trading back a few spots while gaining some value and still securing their target would be beneficial. The Chargers’ interest in trading up provided the perfect opportunity.
The Trade and Its Outcome
Joe Hortiz contacted the Patriots and pulled off one of the best value trades of the year. The deal involved the Chargers giving New England the 37th pick and the 110th pick (fourth round) in exchange for the 34th pick and the 137th pick (fifth round).
Moving up three spots in the second round to get the player they wanted, while only dropping 27 spots from the fourth to the fifth round, was a significant value for the Chargers. With the 34th pick, the Chargers selected Ladd McConkey, considered the best receiver left on the board and a first-round talent. This move made Chargers fans much happier, as Hortiz secured both a top-5 talent at offensive tackle and arguably the safest and best separating receiver of the class. The fifth-round pick, Tarheeb Still, also turned out to be a promising addition during OTAs.
The Patriots, who had just drafted their quarterback of the future with the third pick, were looking to add a wide receiver next. Their target, Ja’Lynn Polk, allowed them the flexibility to accept a trade-up offer from the Chargers. The Patriots received some value from the trade and still landed their preferred player, selecting Missouri wide receiver Javon Baker, who has been compared to the Chargers’ own Joshua Palmer. This provided another great weapon for the Patriots’ young quarterback.
In the end, the trade was a win-win for both teams, with the Chargers addressing their immediate needs effectively and the Patriots adding valuable assets while still securing their target.
