The Los Angeles Chargers have made an effort to give Justin Herbert more big-play options in the passing game this offseason, after it became increasingly apparent that the team needed some, following a crushing loss to the Houston Texans in last year's playoffs.
The team drafted Tre Harris in the second round before selecting KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Oronde Gadsden II in the fifth round. Mike Williams, once a first-round pick by the team, was brought back in free agency.
But Harris is currently a contract holdout, and Williams may only be a shell of his former self. As late-round picks Lambert-Smith and Gadsden get acclimated to the NFL, McConkey could have to shoulder more of a load than the team would like to begin the season.
Acquiring another veteran could help solve that issue, and Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh will not be above making a deal if things begin to look porous in the wide receiver room during camp and preseason games.
Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports sees a possible move the team could make by contacting the Buffalo Bills.
Romell Williams of FanSided recently listed some potential surprise trade candidates. Acting on that information, Palacios connected the Chargers to the Bills' veteran Curtis Samuel.
"The latest Tre Harris’s absence from training camp shouldn’t worry the Chargers, but they must get some other type of veteran wideout to help Justin Herbert. Between Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston, Herbert might not be able to rely on these two weapons and may thrive throwing it in short slants. This means Samuel pairing with 2024 draft pick Ladd McConkey could make sense in this situation, while the tight end department gets involved in the passing game", wrote Palacios.
The Bills aren't very deep at wide receiver, but moving Samuel's $9 million salary could help the team prioritize other free agents down the road. Samuel caught just 31 passes last season, his first in Buffalo, after back-to-back 60+ reception seasons in Washington.
The Bills also added former Charger Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore in free agency this offseason, which could make Samuel even more expendable. Paying that much money to a guy who may be no higher than fourth on the depth chart may not make a lot of sense to the Bills' front office, so that could lead to a move being made.
It really makes sense for both teams.
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