Chargers Willing to Trade Third Overall Pick

The smoke and mirrors of the lead up to the NFL draft are well and truly operational. At a time when teams are keeping cards tightly pinned to their chests, loudly announcing to the world who they will or won’t pick, or doing something in between, it’s hard to tell exactly what intentions any franchise has this far out.

One source close to the San Diego Chargers, though, has disclosed that the team is open to dealing the third overall pick, San Diego’s highest draft selection since 2004. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chargers are actively exploring options elsewhere, possibly hoping to switch places with a team desperate for an instant starter at a glamour position.

The move is in line with San Diego’s recent draft philosophy regarding extremely early selections. Since 2001, the Chargers have held the first overall pick twice. On both occasions it yielded a franchise quarterback for a willing buyer: Mike Vick for the Atlanta Falcons, and Eli Manning to the New York Giants following a draft day trade with San Diego itself.

The question is, though, how willing is another team to fill that void? Regardless of who is selected with the first and second picks, a number of high-ceiling prospects at quarterback, pass rusher or offensive linemen will still be available at number three.

Football history has rarely been kind to teams parting with a king’s ransom of players and draft picks for the chance to move up and snag one possible superstar. The most recent example, Washington’s acquisition of Robert Griffin III, panned out terribly for the Redskins, who are certain to release Griffin this offseason. Admittedly, the ‘Skins have won one playoff game to the Rams’ zero over that time span, but with certainly no thanks to RGIII.

So does this draft have a Peyton Manning, Lebron James or Ken Griffey Jr. among the cream of the crop? It’s impossible to say, but most analysts are not overly thrilled with this year’s top-shelf nominees as in previous seasons. San Diego – a team with many issues at many positions – might have to be satisfied with filling just one in the first round.