One of the most unique mock drafts of the year is out.
ESPN NFL analyst Bill Barnwell posts one mock draft a year but does it in an unconventional way by making a trade for each pick.
Barnwell had the Chargers making three hypothetical trades in the 2025 edition of his mock draft, beginning with a jump to the middle of the first round.
In this scenario, the Chargers made a deal with the Falcons and moved up to the 15th overall pick.
The Bolts sent Atlanta the No. 22 pick along with a third-round pick (No. 86) and a fourth-rounder (No. 125).
Barnwell wrote:
The Chargers don't need help on the edge, but this is about where defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (Michigan) could come off the board. Jim Harbaugh won't require any introduction to Grant, whom he recruited. Teair Tart is returning to L.A. on another one-year deal after doing solid work last season, but Grant could be the Chargers' nose tackle of the future.
As for the Chargers original draft slot at No. 22, Barnwell had the Bolts slightly trading down in a deal with the Vikings.
The Chargers got No. 24 and a 2026 third-rounder while Minnesota received No. 22 and a 2026 fourth-rounder. In essence, the Chargers moved down two picks in the first round but moved up a round in 2026.
Barnwell suggested the Chargers could look to take a defensive player at No. 24.
To some extent, the Chargers are victims of their own defensive success. They invested in a lot of veteran defenders on short-term deals, but Kristian Fulton, Poona Ford and Morgan Fox were impressive enough to earn more significant deals elsewhere. Franchise icon Joey Bosa was also released for cap purposes. Donte Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand were added as replacements, but the Chargers need to add more homegrown talent over the next few seasons on defense to pair with youngsters Tarheeb Still and Daiyan Henley.
Finally, Barnwell's third trade proposal was the most notable one of the bunch.
In this deal, the Chargers shipped No. 22 and Zion Johnson to Baltimore in exchange for No. 27, No. 136 (fourth round) and tight end Mark Andrews.
Barnwell gave a lengthy explanation to why he concocted this trade.
With general manager Joe Hortiz having spent his entire NFL career in Baltimore before joining the Chargers, he is quite familiar with the Ravens' personnel. He was the team's director of college scouting in 2018 when they used a third-round pick on Andrews, and the Ravens might be ready to turn the primary tight end job over to Isaiah Likely from the 29-year-old Andrews.
Andrews is the more prominent player, but Johnson might be equally as desirable given his youth and the recent positional importance of guards.
A swap would make sense. Andrews thrived in Greg Roman's offenses and would be a reliable receiver for Justin Herbert. The Ravens have lost multiple starting offensive linemen over the past few years, and they might like their chances with the 25-year-old Johnson. This would be a great draft to go after Andrews' replacement in 12 personnel groupings, although Baltimore might be more inclined to use the No. 22 selection to improve its defense.
Barnwell's third hypothetical scenario would certainly turn heads around the league but at this point it's simply a fun exercise that the NFL analyst cooks up each offseason.
The Chargers currently hold 10 total picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be held April 24-26 in Green Bay.
