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Chargers draft class receives high praise with a unique metric.
The Los Angeles Chargers currently have just five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, so if they were to give one up in a trade, it would have to be a strong offer.
Trades are always something to keep an eye on ahead of free agency. They are a good way to move on from lucrative contracts, as well as players who just aren’t fitting in anymore. Teams are taking endless calls this time of year as to who on their roster might be available.
ESPN NFL analysts Ben Solak and Dan Graziano ranked their top 15 trade candidates around the NFL, breaking down their contracts, attributes they bring to the football field, and why their current teams may want to deal them.
Los Angeles Chargers Named Potential Landing Spot for New York Giants Edge Rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux via Trade
GettyKayvon Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux was the fifth overall pick by the Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft. He broke out during his second season, recording 50 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Here’s what Solak and Graziano had to say about New York possibly moving on from Thibodeaux:
“The Giants have a surplus of impact defensive linemen with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and it seems more likely they’ll try to find a trade partner for Thibodeaux than extend the 2022 first-round pick ahead of his fifth-year-option season. The question is whether the Giants can find a taker for him at that salary in a deep offseason edge rusher market, but the chatter at the combine indicates they’re going to try.” — Graziano
“Thibodeaux’s motor can run hot and cold, which makes him a difficult player to trust on a down-to-down basis. But a contract year could light a fire under Thibodeaux, who generates quick pressures with hand usage and a killer first step. He posted 2.5 sacks last season but also had 11.5 in 2023. That sort of production can keep a guy in a designated pass-rushing role for a long time in this league. But it’s a loaded offseason for edge rushers in free agency, which might temper Thibodeaux’s market.” — Solak
Examining the Chargers’ Defensive Front Seven
The Chargers have two big names in its front seven set to become free agents in March – edge rushers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh. Losing both would be devastating, making acquiring at least one, if not two, impact pass rushers a huge priority. Los Angeles could use the franchise tag on either guy, but it would make the most sense for Oweh, who is younger and more productive.
Adding Thibodeaux to the mix makes a lot of sense for the Chargers. Although his statistics dipped in 2025, he is still just 25 years old, and could benefit from a change of scenery, especially with a contender. Thibodeaux would fit well in new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary’s 3-4 base scheme as an outside linebacker.
The big question with this hypothetical trade is what the compensation would be on Los Angeles’ end. It could receive two sixth-round compensatory picks for losing running back JK Dobbins and cornerback Kristian Fulton last offseason. That would make it much more comfortable trading for a player like Thibodeaux, who can likely be had for a mid-round pick.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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