Chargers floated as trade fit for underrated Buccaneers name to help Justin Herbert

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Two things define the offseason predictions for the Los Angeles Chargers—drafting Michigan Wolverines prospects for Jim Harbaugh and adding offensive weapons for Justin Herbert.

When it comes to the latter, a new projected trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has emerged. 

Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports has suggested that Harbaugh and the Chargers trade for Buccaneers running back Rachaad White: 

“In a surprise, the Los Angeles Chargers are not bringing back J.K. Dobbins on a new year deal, as he’s still available on the market. The team signed Najee Harris, and it’s clear what type of ground game head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to establish. Harris is the perfect answer as an old-school built runner that could get those easy yards to move the chains. However, after releasing Gus Edwards, they could use someone like White to solidify Harbaugh’s philosophy as another big body for them.”

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Given injured reserve trips for both Dobbins and Edwards last year, neither guy coming back while the super-reliable Najee Harris arrived wasn’t all that shocking. 

Even so, the Chargers haven’t said much about Kimani Vidal despite his apparent upside, so they’ll likely be in the market for a No. 2 running back soon. 

That could certainly be someone like White, who turned 144 carries into 613 yards and three scores last year on a 4.3 per-carry average. He also caught 51 passes for 393 yards and six scores. 

To cap off a good-looking idea for the Chargers, White is on the last year of his rookie contract, which puts him at an affordable $3.6 million cap hit. 

Provided the asking price isn’t too steep, the Chargers could turn a draft pick they would have used on an unknown rookie into a known producer who could earn a second big contract while serving as a rotational back alongside Harris. 

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