When you look back over the last 10 years for the Los Angeles Chargers, which would take things back to the San Diego days, what was the worst trade the team made in that timeframe?
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently named the worst trade made by every team in the last 10 years and his answer for the Chargers takes us back to the 2020 NFL Draft. In that draft, the Chargers selected Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall pick. But it was the move they made after that, trading back into the first round to select Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray, that takes the cake. Knox had the following to say regarding the move:
"There are always exceptions, but off-ball linebackers have been considered less valuable in recent years and rarely worthy of a first-round selection. However, that didn't stop the Chargers from trading up for Kenneth Murray in the 2020 NFL draft.
It should have.
Then-GM Tom Telesco sent the 37th and 71st overall picks to the New England Patriots to move back into Round 1 and secure Murray—after drafting quarterback Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick. Herbert proved to be a franchise cornerstone. Murray? Not so much.
The Oklahoma product proved to be a serviceable starter for the Chargers but never anything more than that. He could record tackles in bunches but also had issues with missed tackles (23 in four seasons) and coverage (104.8 opposing passer rating in L.A.).
Had the Chargers not traded for Murray, they could have stayed at No. 37 and gotten a premier player like safety Antoine Winfield Jr., running back Jonathan Taylor or cornerback Jaylon Johnson. With the 71st pick, they could have snagged defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike or linebacker Zack Baun.
Instead, L.A. got Murray, who was allowed to walk after four largely forgettable seasons."
Murray just never seemed to be the impact player many thought he would for the Chargers and when you're drafted with the No. 23 overall pick in any draft, that's what you need to do.
Tom Telesco traded away two picks to get Murray and though hindsight is always 20/20, there were better players than Murray available if the Chargers just stayed patient and waited for their next turn.
The Tennessee Titans signed Murray in free agency last year but after one season, the team traded him to the Dallas Cowboys this past March along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. That's close to just giving him away.
Murray, who is still only 26 years old, is now preparing to play for his third NFL team. If he quickly flames out there, his NFL career could soon be over.
The Chargers have made several famous trades in their history that were done in connection with the NFL draft.
1998- Chargers, Cardinals swap
Chargers receive: First-round pick (No. 2 overall)
Cardinals receive: First-round pick (No. 3 overall), second-round pick (No. 33 overall), 1999 first-round pick, RB Eric Metcalf, LB Patrick Sapp
The Chargers gave away this haul to move up one spot in the draft and infamously select Ryan Leaf with the No. 2 overall selection.
2001- Chargers deal No. 1 pick to Falcons
Chargers receive: First-round pick (No. 5 overall), Third-round pick (No. 67 overall), 2002 Second-round pick, WR Tim Dwight
Falcons receive: First-round pick (No. 1 overall)
The Chargers were unable to come to contract terms with Michael Vick and on the eve of the draft, traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons, who then chose Vick.
Things worked out for the Chargers though as they took LaDainian Tomlinson with the No. 5 overall pick. The extra third-round pick they received was used on Florida State cornerback Tay Cody.
2004- The Eli Manning saga
Chargers receive: QB Philip Rivers, Third-round pick (No. 65), 2005 First-round pick, 2005 Fifth-round pick
Giants receive: QB Eli Manning
This all took place because Eli Manning, who had stated he wouldn't play for the Chargers, was selected by them anyway. Not long after, he was sent to the New York Giants for the QB they had selected with the No. 4 overall pick, Philip Rivers, along with three more picks.
The Chargers selected kicker Nate Kaeding in the third round and then used the first-round pick the Giants sent them in 2005 on edge rusher Shawne Merriman. In the end, the deal worked out for both teams.
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