Last season, Joe Hortiz could afford to spend. With a projected surplus of compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chargers’ new GM moved late-round selections to fill immediate roster holes — landing versatile defensive back Elijah Molden and securing one of the league’s better backup quarterbacks in Taylor Heinicke.

This year, the situation is reversed. Hortiz is currently projected to hold just six picks in the 2026 draft, with an offensive line that still raises questions at right tackle guard depth. While the final 53-man roster hasn’t taken shape, several position groups — especially wide receiver, defensive back, and quarterback — are more crowded than they’ve been in years. That combination of needs and surplus could push Hortiz toward flipping select players for draft capital or using them as trade chips to bring in competition along the OL.

Two teams stand out as particularly intriguing trade partners:

• Minnesota Vikings — Thin at wide receiver with Rondale Moore out for the year and Jordan Addison suspended to start the season, and how J.J. McCarthy transitions to the NFL is yet to be seen.
• New Orleans Saints — Looking for versatile defensive backs and depth at multiple secondary spots after injuries thinned their corner rotation, while holding movable offensive line depth that could help the Chargers immediately. They also have a very unstable quarterback room.

If Hortiz is willing to deal from areas of surplus, here are a few Chargers who could fit those needs — and the trade scenarios that make sense for both sides.

Minnesota Trade Fits

Vikings in need of receiver help

With Rondale Moore out for the season and Jordan Addison suspended to start the year, the Vikings’ wide receiver depth is suddenly under pressure. That makes Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston an intriguing target. A 2023 first-round pick selected by Tom Telesco, Johnston was miscast early in his career as a pure “X” receiver — a role that exposed his struggles against press coverage and in contested catch situations. But when schemed into space, he’s dangerous, showing the burst and YAC ability that made him a top-25 pick.

In Minnesota, Kevin O’Connell could slot Johnston into a motion/Z role, using him on crossers, quick-hitting routes, and deep shots off play-action. That fit would allow him to cover for Addison during his suspension, then transition into a complementary role alongside Addison and Justin Jefferson — giving the Vikings another versatile horizontal and vertical threat.

An alternative for Minnesota could be Chargers return specialist Derius Davis — if the Chargers believe Nyheim Hines’ preseason punt return struggles were just a blip and decide to give him the job full-time. Davis would offer the Vikings immediate juice in the return game and could be integrated as a gadget/YAC receiver to help offset the loss of Moore.

Vikings fit: Johnston provides a cost-controlled, high-upside addition who can handle motion, crossers, and screen work while flashing vertical speed. Davis, meanwhile, offers instant special teams impact and schemed touches on offense — an area Minnesota will need to bolster without Moore.

Chargers fit: Trading Johnston hardly affects the starting rotation with Keenan Allen back in the fold. Tre Harris remains at X, with Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen rotating between Z and slot. Dealing Davis would be easier if Hines locks down return duties, allowing Los Angeles to gain draft capital without losing offensive depth. Assuming only one were to be dealt, the room would be nicely rounded out by former first round speedster Jalen Reagor and KeAndre Lamert-Smith.

Projected trade value: Johnston — likely a Day 3 pick (Rounds 4–5) with potential for a conditional upgrade based on production. Davis — late Day 3 pick (Rounds 6–7) or inclusion in a package deal for offensive line help.

New Orleans Trade Fits

Among many needs, defensive back and quarterback stand out

The Saints’ cornerback room isn’t thin because of injuries — it’s thin because of turnover and role uncertainty. With Brandon Staley now running the defense in New Orleans, there’s a logical path for the Saints to target two familiar faces: Deane Leonard and Ja’Sir Taylor. Both were drafted by Staley during his Chargers tenure and became elite special teams gunners in his system, making them plug-and-play fits for one of the league’s more complex defensive schemes.

Leonard has provided starter-caliber flashes during multiple training camps, combining speed and length to stay sticky on the boundary. While his regular-season opportunities have been limited, he’s shown enough in man coverage to suggest he could compete immediately for outside snaps in Staley’s defense.

Taylor’s best work under Staley came inside, where his short-area quickness, anticipation, and blitz timing made him a versatile nickel defender. In a scheme that leans heavily on disguise and requires DBs to process quickly, Taylor’s familiarity with the system would allow him to step into sub-package roles without the long learning curve most players face.

Quarterback is another spot where the Saints could seek reinforcements. With Derek Carr retired, the team is leaning on a handful of unproven young players to compete and hopefully rise to the occasion in Spencer Rattler, Jake Haner, Tyler Shough, and Hunter Dekkers. That’s where Taylor Heinicke could make sense. While Kellen Moore, the Saints’ new head coach, hasn’t worked with Heinicke before, GM Mickey Loomis knows exactly what the veteran brings after seeing him start in the NFC South for the Falcons. Heinicke’s mobility, quick processing, and ability to manage games could be especially valuable for a Saints roster expected to win with defense and ball control.

Saints fit: Leonard offers the upside of a developmental starting outside corner, while Taylor strengthens the nickel competition and provides matchup flexibility. Heinicke would add experienced, low-drama stability to a quarterback room filled with uncertainty. All three would arrive as proven NFL contributors, with Leonard and Taylor already fluent in Staley’s defensive system.

Chargers fit: With an influx of young DBs (Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Nikko Reed, RJ Mickens) and veterans like Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste ahead of them, the Chargers can afford to move Leonard or Taylor. Heinicke, meanwhile, could be dealt if Los Angeles is confident in Trey Lance as QB2 — giving the former first rounder a vote of confidence after a solid first two preseason games with the Bolts.

Projected trade value: Leonard or Taylor could each bring back a late Day 3 pick (Round 6–7) individually, while Heinicke could net a conditional 6th that escalates to a 5th if he starts multiple games. Packaged together, they could push the return to a mid-Day 3 selection or be flipped in a player-for-player swap for OL help — such as Dillon Radunz or even Trevor Penning, who was linked to trades by multiple sources in the offseason.