Analyzing San Diego Chargers' Best Trade Options with 17th Pick in NFL Draft

The San Diego Chargers haven't traded up or down in the first round of the draft since 2010, when they swapped picks with the Miami Dolphins to move up 16 slots and take running back Ryan Mathews.

At the time, San Diego was pressed to find the successor to future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, and Mathews seemed to fit the bill after three strong seasons at Fresno State. That gamble hasn't consistently paid off for the Chargers, as Mathews has struggled to stay healthy most of his professional career, but every now and then a little boldness can be afforded.

General manager Tom Telesco has stayed put in the first round of his previous two drafts, only trading up in the second round to select linebackers Manti Te'o (2013) and Jeremiah Attaochu (2014). Telesco moved up seven spots for both players and dealt the team's second- and fourth-round picks each time.

Here are a few trade options involving San Diego's first-round pick in 2015.

Trade Down

The acquisition of defensive tackle Sean Lissemore from the Dallas Cowboys in 2013 will cost the Chargers their seventh-round selection in the upcoming draft, bringing the total number of picks to six. By trading down, Telesco could reclaim that lost asset for San Diego and still have the freedom to move up in the second round, as history suggests he's prone to do. 

Trade for Vikings' Adrian Peterson

ESPN reporter Eric D. Williams is completely on board with the notion of bringing Peterson to San Diego, whether by trade or in the event that Minnesota releases him.

At the moment, Peterson cannot be considered for reinstatement to the NFL until April 15, but the Players Association is suing the league in an attempt to get the former MVP back sooner. As Ben Goessling of ESPN reported, the Vikings have publicly stated they want Peterson back next season, but his massive salary may be standing in the way of a reunion.

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Peterson is scheduled to make $12.75 million in the final of year of his deal and count for $15.4 million against the team's cap, per Spotrac.com. The Chargers have plenty of cap space to satisfy Peterson, nearly $25 million not including roster cuts for the 2015 season. If acquiring one of the league's top backs comes at the mere expense of a draft pick (or two), why not go for it?

San Diego had one of the league's worst rushing attacks last season and injuries decimated the position. Having Peterson in the backfield would also add another element to the offense, taking pressure off Philip Rivers to throw the ball so often, as he finished with the second-most pass attempts in his career in 2014 (570).

Trade Up

A significant move up in the first round isn't the thinking here, but rather a slight bump. Telesco doesn't strike me as a man that would go for broke by trading away his first- and second-round picks to get into the top 10, but I could see him dealing a No. 1 and No. 3 to move somewhere in the 14-16 range, based on what the trade value chart tells us. That scenario would only present itself if a high-ranking player started to fall, though. 

It may not seem like much, but moving up a pick or two could make a big difference. The Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans are directly ahead of San Diego in the picking order and have some similar needs, specifically along the offensive line.

John Raoux/Associated Press/Associated Press

At least four offensive tackles are projected to go in the first round, according to NFL.com mock drafts, and if a tackle is what the Chargers covet in the first round, they may need to move up in order to make a play for one.