ESPN’s Bill Barnwell dropped a mock draft that has the Chargers send wide receiver Quentin Johnston and the No. 22 overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for the No. 19 pick and a fifth-rounder (No. 159).

Here is why Barnwell made this trade in this exercise:

The Chargers have said the right things about keeping Johnston, but the additions they made this offseason suggest that Los Angeles will be in 21 or 12 personnel more often than they were in 2025. Johnston would likely be the odd man out there, with Ladd McConkey as the lead wideout and Tre’ Harris potentially running as the second wide receiver. The executives who drafted Johnston are no longer in the building in Los Angeles, and I’m not sure Joe Hortiz is as motivated to pick up Johnston’s $18 million fifth-year option for 2027 as he would be for one of his own picks.

Johnston has been viewed as a trade candidate as the Chargers face a May 1 deadline on his $18 million fifth-year option. Moving him could help the Bolts recoup draft capital, as they currently hold only five picks in the upcoming draft.

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In Barnwell’s projection, Los Angeles would move up three spots, jumping other offensive line-needy teams like the Steelers and potentially allowing them to get their top target, Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The Chargers would also get an additional Day 3 pick, which is when general manager Joe Hortiz has shown to hit on good players the past two years.

Johnston showed improvement in 2025 with 51 receptions for 735 yards and eight touchdowns. That growth could be the deciding factor to hold on to him and see what he is capable of in Mike McDaniel’s offense, even if they decide not to pick up his fifth-year option.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: NFL analyst projects Chargers to trade Quentin Johnston to Panthers