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the 2020 nfl draft trade that haunts the los angeles chargers: a decade of regret

NFL access_alarms2025-06-02 14:24:58 visibility5 text_decrease title text_increase

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Table of Contents

the ill-fated decision

the Los Angeles Chargers' 2020 NFL Draft trade to acquire Linebacker kenneth murray has become a cautionary tale in sports history. then-general manager tom telesco's bold move to trade the 37th and 71st overall picks to the New England Patriots for the no. 23 selection ultimately backfired. the deal aimed to bring murray—a versatile linebacker from oklahoma—to anchor the defense with his speed and athleticism, but failed to deliver on expectations.

the underwhelming return

over four seasons in los angeles, murray struggled to meet first-round expectations. key issues included:

23 missed tackles per season
Allowing a 104.8 opposing passer rating in coverage (among league-worst for linebackers)
Failure to develop into a defensive cornerstone

the chargers eventually cut murray in 2024 after a brief tenure with the Tennessee Titans, who later traded him to the Dallas Cowboys.

opportunity cost and missed talent

the trade's true damage lies in the lost potential:

Players passed over: safety antoine winfield jr. (pro bowler), Running Back Jonathan Taylor (two-time rushing champ), and shutdown corner jaylon johnson
Rivals' gains: new england's safety kyle dugger (selected with the traded 37th pick) became a key defender, while the 71st pick produced baltimore's rising star dt justin madubuike

the draft class paradox

while quarterback justin herbert (selected 6th overall) developed into a franchise star with 17,000+ passing yards in four seasons, critical roster gaps at left tackle and running back persisted. these unaddressed needs limited the team's Playoff Success and exposed flawed long-term planning.

The 2020 NFL Draft Trade That Haunts the Los Angeles Chargers: A Decade of Regret

lessons from the ashes

this misstep highlights:

The dangers of overvaluing raw athleticism over proven production
Risks of trading up for unproven prospects without proper due diligence
Necessity of roster flexibility and sustainable drafting strategies

As the chargers rebuild under new leadership, prioritizing disciplined evaluation and addressing core positional needs will be critical to avoiding similar mistakes.