Chargers urged to toss former first-round pick on the trade block

With their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected Zion Johnson out of Boston College in the hopes that he could help shore up their offensive line. Unfortunately, Johnson didn't live up to his first-round stock and now a trade could make sense for the Bolts.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report discussed one player that each should consider putting on the trade block and Johnson was ultimately his pick for the Chargers. Davenport did mention that Quentin Johnson would have been his first pick but due to LA's need for depth at wide receiver, he had to go in a different direction.

"With the addition of veteran guard Mekhi Becton and the return of Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson’s days as a starter at guard for the Chargers are over. And with good reason—per Pro Football Focus, Johnson allowed five sacks last year and ranked outside the top 50 in both run blocking and pass protection."

Zion Johnson could be the next Chargers name on the trade block

The Chargers decided not to pick up Johnson's fifth-year option, meaning that when this season is over, he'll be a free agent. That's why now is the time to see what the team can get for him. While it might not be much due to him not performing to the level that a first-round pick should, if they can even get a Day 3 pick for him, that'd feel like a bargain.

Davenport did touch on how Johnson will have a chance to compete for the starting center job. He did say that Andre James wins that job, however, that's when putting Johnson on the trade block needs to happen.

"The Chargers also brought in veteran Andre James, who has 60 career starts at center under his belt. If James wins the job, the best move for the Chargers might be shopping Johnson to teams with a need on the offensive line."

It's always disappointing when a first-round pick doesn't pan out but, again, if the Bolts can receive something in exchange for Johnson, they absolutely need to look into that.