With the Los Angeles Chargers staring at a 0-3 start and Mike McDaniel’s offense still sputtering, wide receiver help has become the obvious place to look. Justin Herbert looks lost at the wheel, and the early hope that McDaniel could unlock Tre Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Quentin Johnston and rookie Brenen Thompson has faded fast.
That has pushed the conversation toward bigger names, including Odell Beckham Jr. and even Tyreek Hill. But if the Chargers are serious about finding immediate help, the trade market may offer cleaner fits and better value.
Xavier Legette stands out as the upside play. He was a first-round pick, but his first two seasons came in a rough situation, and he has since been passed by Tetairoa McMillan and others.
At 6’3”, he could give the Chargers a bigger target who draws defensive attention and helps open space for faster underneath and middle-of-the-field options like Ladd McConkey. With Legette having only two catches so far, the price should not be steep.
Jerry Jeudy brings a similar appeal. He’s 27 now, but he also came into the league as a first-rounder and could fit well in a McDaniel system.
His recent production is tough to judge because of the quarterback mess in Cleveland, which could keep the asking price low. For a team looking to create space for McConkey and others, he makes sense.
Brian Thomas Jr. is another name worth watching, though he would cost more. The 23-year-old followed a 1,282-yard rookie season in 2024 with a Pro Bowl nod, but things have gone sideways since Liam Coen took over as head coach one year later.
Through three games in his third season, Thomas has only 12 targets and is sitting behind at least two other players on the depth chart. The talent is obvious, and so is the immediate upside.
Then there is Marvin Harrison Jr., the biggest swing of the group. The fourth overall pick in 2024 has not looked engaged as a route-runner this season in Arizona, and he is nowhere near the player he was as a rookie, when he put up 885 yards and eight touchdowns.
Through three games, he has just nine targets. Still, the idea of Harrison in a McDaniel offense is hard to ignore.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported it would only take a Day 3 pick, and for a Chargers team that is 0-3 and looking for direction, that kind of gamble starts to make sense.
In Other News...
Philip Rivers Just Called Out A Problem With Young Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers is seeing the game from a different angle now, and the longtime Chargers quarterback turned high school head coach says that shift has sharpened how he evaluates todays passers. In a recent podcast interview, Rivers talked about his coaching experience, his return to the NFL conversation, and the way quarterback play has changed since his own playing days, drawing on examples like Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes while also reflecting on his years backing up Drew Brees.
What stood out most in the conversation was Rivers take on younger quarterbacks and the learning curve they face once they get to the league. Having spent time working with them as a coach, he framed the issue through both old-school preparation and the realities of todays game, which makes his perspective especially relevant for a franchise that has long lived with quarterback scrutiny. The full point of his criticism was aimed less at talent than at a problem he sees in how young players are being brought along. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Fans May Need To Brace For A Khalil Mack Decision
The Chargers rough start has already put some early-season pressure on the roster, and the next few weeks could determine whether this is just a bad opening stretch or the beginning of a bigger reset. With a 0-3 record, the team is at least inviting outside questions about whether it can stay in the playoff hunt long enough to justify standing pat at the trade deadline.
One name that has surfaced in that conversation is Khalil Mack, whose contract runs only one season and makes him the kind of veteran contender would monitor if Los Angeles slips further back. ESPNs Dan Graziano floated the idea that if the Chargers are out of the race by deadline time, Mack could become a trade candidate for a team looking to upgrade its pass rush. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Suddenly Face A Week 4 Problem They Cant Ignore
Ladd McConkeys foot injury gave the Chargers an unwelcome complication this week, with the second-year receiver missing Thursday practice as Los Angeles starts turning its attention to Seattle. McConkey has quickly become one of the key pieces in the offense, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, and his workload has made him central to how the Chargers want to move the ball.
Seattle is hardly the kind of opponent you want to face while sorting through uncertainty at receiver. The Seahawks bring a strong defense into the matchup, so the Chargers may need to be flexible if McConkey is limited or unavailable. For a team trying to keep its offense steady, his status is suddenly one of the most important developments to track heading into the weekend. [Read more 🡒]