Proposed Chargers trade shows how Chiefs draft so much better than their rival

The Kansas City Chiefs can always take solace in the fact that the Los Angeles Chargers will always find a way to not quite squeeze all the potential out of their best teams. Look no further than how the team has mismanaged the NFL Draft since selecting a star quarterback in Justin Herbert.

The Chargers' drafting in the last few years has been suspect, as evidenced when they used a Top 20 pick on former Boston College guard Zion Johnson. The former Eagles star has been a thoroughly average, and often below-average, player in the professional ranks in powder blue.

Bleacher Report believes that Johnson may already be on his way out of town in Los Angeles, as he was named as the most likely player for the Chargers to trade before the season starts. Johnson, who took a step back last season, could join the graveyard of highly-touted Chargers draft picks who did not make it.

While the Chargers assuredly wouldn't trade him to the Chiefs due to the fact that they are in the AFC West, Kansas City can settle for furthering their smug sense of superiority after they managed to add key components of their dynasty following the Chargers' decision to lean into Johnson.

Chiefs fans can laugh at Chargers as Zion Johnson hits trade market once again

Johnson was picked 17th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft with the goal of getting Herbert the offensive line he was missing throughout his first few seasons. While he hasn't been awful, the Chargers would have likely wished they added either of Kansas City's top two picks that year.

Johnson has become a thoroughly average guard, ranking 47th at his position in PFF's eyes. Johnson was picked before the Chiefs spent two first-round picks on one of the best cornerbacks in the game in Trent McDuffie and a rock-solid starting edge rusher in George Karlaftis.

In addition to the Herbert contract limiting LA's financial flexibility, the Chargers have already handed out a big contract to guard Mekhi Becton. If given the choice of picking either Johnson or Rashawn Slater, the emerging stud left tackle seems like the more prudent signing.

The Chargers are in the same position this franchise has been in for almost their entire existence. They have a tremendous quarterback, but their inability to surround them with talent has led to better teams like the Chiefs constantly halting their progress.