Los Angeles Chargers: The case for and against a Trent Williams trade

The case against:

There are a few nitpicks you can make against the Los Angeles Chargers trading for Trent Williams. First is the fact that they are already paying a left tackle a hefty contract and adding another tackle with a big contract might not be the smartest use of the cap.

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Russell Okung has a $13.2 million cap hit this year and a $16 million cap hit next season. Having two tackles that combine for a $30.6 million cap hit next season is hard to work around with the cap.

The simple solution to this would be to include Okung in the deal, not as the main piece, but as a piece that the Redskins get in return to give them a starting-caliber tackle. However, the issue with this is Okung’s health as well as the Redskins potentially wanting to just get the money off the books.

Another issue with trading for Williams is what the Chargers would have to send in return. While they are essentially only getting a year and a half of Williams guaranteed, they would likely still have to send a first-round pick as well as a later-round pick, likely in the fifth or sixth round.

That is a lot of draft capital to be sending. Yes, Williams is one of the best left tackles in the league, but the Chargers would be taking a huge risk in doing this.

What if Williams does not have as big of an impact as the Chargers expect and the team finishes with a pick in the 10-15 range? With Philip Rivers‘ career coming to a close and the Chargers need to address that situation, trading away this year’s first might not be the smartest thing.

They can maneuver the cap to get Williams if they really want him. It really comes down to how confident they are in this year’s team, how big of an impact they think Williams can have and what their tentative plans are at quarterback in the future.

If there are any doubts in any of those three facets then the Los Angeles Chargers should never even consider this trade. At the end of the day, though, the Redskins hold the cards in their hand.