The Los Angeles Chargers will be one of several teams looking for a star wide receiver this offseason. Surprisingly, the Chargers made the playoffs this past season despite not having a bonafide WR1 on offense.
Rookie wideout Ladd McConkey, who the Chargers took in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, emerged as Justin Herbert’s favorite target. The former Georgia standout led the team in targets (112), receptions (82), and receiving yards (1,149 yards) and was second in TDs (7).
Even though McConkey’s performance as a rookie was outstanding, the Chargers cannot go into next season with him being the No. 1 wide receiver. They need to do everything in their power to go after a talented wide receiver like Tee Higgins in free agency or trade for a wide receiver to give Herbert more weapons to help this offense grow.
Chargers Trade for Former All-Pro WR in Big Projected Trade
If the Chargers want to go the trade route, veteran receivers like Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp, Christian Kirk, and Davante Adams would be all tremendous options. However, many teams will try to compete for those guys.
Therefore, Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett could be the perfect under-the-radar option for the Chargers. The 32-year-old wide receiver is viewed as a potential trade or cut option this offseason as he has an insane $30.8 million cap hit in 2025, per Spotrac.
The veteran wide receiver saw his numbers drop off this season as second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a bigger role in the passing game. Lockett racked up 49 receptions (74 targets) for 600 yards and two touchdowns.
The last time Lockett had 600 or fewer receiving yards was in 2017, his third year in the NFL (45 receptions for 555 yards and two touchdowns). Even though he had a drop-off, Lockett still had 12.2 yards per reception, which is up from 2023 (11.3).
Therefore, given his age contract (the last year of his deal), the Chargers should consider moving one of their fifth-round picks in the 2025 draft in exchange for Lockett.
Despite a potential trade for the Seahawks wide receiver, Los Angeles should still add more weapons this offseason. The Chargers are projected to have $65.6 million in cap space, that’s more than enough to take on Lockett and go after Darius Slayton in free agency, for example.