The Los Angeles Chargers have been plagued by injuries but show promise as a true contender in the AFC. As a result, they are expected to be among the most active teams leading up to the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
Injuries have particularly affected two position groups for the Chargers: running back and offensive line. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently proposed trades that would bolster both areas. The players Barnwell mentioned have been involved in trade rumors for weeks. The first is Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford. The second is New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal. We’ll break down both mock trades below, including what the Chargers would have to give up to make them happen.
Chargers Trading for RB Ford
“The Chargers weren’t expecting to need a running back after they added Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton this offseason, but plans change,” Barnwell writes. “Harris is out for the year with a torn Achilles, while Hampton is on injured reserve and sidelined indefinitely with an ankle injury.”
Fill-in running back Kimani Vidal played well in Week 6 against the Dolphins, rushing for 124 yards on 18 carries and adding three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown. But Barnwell suggests Los Angeles is still interested in adding depth, if not upgrading, at running back. That’s where Jerome Ford comes in. The 26-year-old has been phased out of Cleveland’s offense with the emergence of rookie Quinshon Judkins, but he’s been a reliable producer in the past, averaging 4.4 yards per carry in his career.
“Ford is due only $1.2 million over the rest of 2025, and he has averaged a respectable 4.4 yards per carry as a pro, often with dismal passing attacks,” Barnwell adds. “As a veteran back who can soak up meaningful touches now and complement Hampton after the rookie returns, Ford fits the sort of profile the Chargers would be looking to add via trade.”
The terms of Barnwell’s mock trade are essentially a pick swap:
- Chargers receive: RB Jerome Ford, 2027 seventh-round pick
- Browns receive: 2027 sixth-round pick
The Chargers could opt to take a bigger swing. Players like Breece Hall, Tony Pollard, and even De’Von Achane have recently been involved in trade rumors. But Ford is a low-cost flier who could steady the backfield until Hampton returns. Plus, a more aggressive running back trade may be unnecessary if Vidal continues performing like he did in Week 6.
Chargers Trading for OL Neal
In Barnwell’s words, Evan Neal has been “a massive miss” so far in his career. The 6-foot-7-inch lineman was selected No. 7 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft but lost his starting tackle position in 2024 due to ongoing injuries and poor play. The Giants attempted to resurrect Neal’s career by converting him from tackle to guard but to no avail; he hasn’t played a snap for the team this season.
While none of that is promising, the Chargers may be willing to take a shot on the former blue-chip talent considering the injuries they’ve suffered on the offensive line. Rashawn Slater is out for the season with a knee injury. Joe Alt has missed time due to a high-ankle injury in Week 4. And Trey Pipkins III is sidelined with a knee injury sustained in Week 6.
“This wasn’t the plan for the Chargers, but it’s tough to feel like they have enough protecting Justin Herbert. Neal is leaving New York after the year, so this would be a brief chance at auditioning for the Chargers–and 30 other teams–in advance of free agency in 2026.
Trading for Neal is expected to be inexpensive. Here’s the deal Barnwell suggests:
- Chargers receive: OT/G Evan Neal, 2028 seventh-round pick
- Giants receive: 2028 sixth-round pick
The worst-case scenario is that Neal underperforms in Los Angeles, just as he has in New York, and the Chargers drop a few spots at the end of the 2028 draft. If Neal plays adequately, he could be a valuable depth piece to protect Herbert, hopefully throughout a deep playoff run.
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