Acquiring offensive line help at the trade deadline is a daunting task, but it's a task that is at the top of the priority list for the two teams from Los Angeles, the Chargers and Rams.
The Chargers just got left tackle Joe Alt back from a high-ankle sprain, but we can't forget that the team is missing its regular starting left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is out for the season due to injury. At the very least, Los Angeles should be looking to improve its depth, as the team is one Alt injury away from disaster.
For the Rams, their issue at tackle stems from the injury woes of right tackle Rob Havenstein, who hasn't been able to stay healthy in recent years. His injury issues have bled into 2025, also, with the veteran missing each of the last three games.
With the Chargers and Rams trying to compete for big things this season, both should be on the lookout for any available offensive tackles.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, one tackle who could be available at the trade deadline is Chicago Bears former fifth-round pick Braxton Jones. Fowler notes that people around the league believe Jones is a "sensible trade candidate."
"Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching in favor of Theo Benedet and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago. Jones also is in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025," Fowler reported.
Jones was a full-time starter for the Bears over his first three seasons in the NFL, and he began this year as a starter, also.
However, Jones, who has dealt with some injury issues in years past, was benched the last few weeks and that could make him expendable at the trade deadline, especially with the veteran being in the final year of his contract.
In his four starts this year, Jones has given up two sacks and 15 total pressures and is sporting Pro Football Focus grades of 62.7 in pass-blocking and 47.2 in run-blocking.
Those numbers certainly aren't great, but Jones has shown he's capable of better after posting PFF run-blocking grades of 77.4, 68.8 and 75.4 and pass-blocking grades of 80.8, 70.8 and 70.5 over the past three seasons.
It would be worth it for the Chargers and Rams to take a swing on the offensive lineman, who could cost as little as a late Day 3 pick.
If Jones can rebound in a new home and earn a contract extension, he could prove to be a long-term solution, as he's still just 26 years old.
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