Los Angeles Chargers Trade Cornerback Avery Smith and TeRah Edwards for Sixth-Round Picks Ahead of Roster Cutdowns
As NFL teams finalized their initial 53-man rosters for the upcoming season, the Los Angeles Chargers executed a pair of late-August trades, shipping rookie cornerback Avery Smith to the Seattle Seahawks and TeRah Edwards in exchange for future sixth-round draft picks.
The Bottom Line
- Asset Liquidation: The Chargers converted late-summer training camp standouts who faced difficult roster battles into future draft capital, acquiring 2027 sixth-round selections from the Seahawks and another sixth-round pick for Edwards.
- Positional Over-saturation: With an abundance of depth in the defensive backfield—including names like Derwin James and Donte Jackson—the franchise opted to trade value rather than risk losing players on waivers.
- Roster Compliance: The moves allowed management to bypass tricky practice-squad retention risks while simultaneously easing final-cut pressure on the 53-man limit.
Managing an Embarrassment of Riches in the Defensive Backfield
The Los Angeles Chargers reached the roster-cutdown deadline facing a classic high-class problem: too much talent and not enough open spots. According to reporting from OnSI, the team’s cornerback room featured a crowded depth chart comprised of Derwin James, Donte Jackson, Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed, Rodney Shelley, and Eric Rogers.
Faced with this logjam, front-office decision-makers identified rookie cornerback Avery Smith as a prime trade candidate. An undrafted free agent out of the University of Toledo, the 22-year-old defensive back put together a strong summer camp, regularly challenging the offense and recording multiple pass breakups. But the numbers simply did not align to keep him on the initial 53-man roster.
Rather than risking a waiver claim where the organization would receive nothing in return, the front office flipped Smith to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, as reported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero via X.
| Player Traded | Position | Origin / College | Trade Destination | Return Asset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Smith | Cornerback | Toledo (UDFA) | Seattle Seahawks | 2027 6th-Round Pick |
| TeRah Edwards | 6th-Round Pick |
Securing Value Before the Waiver Wire Closes
In the fiercely competitive environment of NFL roster cuts, asset management dictates that general managers must extract value wherever possible. According to analysis from OnSI, Smith clearly earned a spot on an NFL roster during training camp, adapting quickly to high-level competition against the team’s offensive schemes.
For the Seattle Seahawks, adding Smith represents another calculated investment in secondary depth. The franchise previously added defensive backs Trevon Diggs and Terrion Arnold over the preceding weeks. Smith is expected to compete for snaps at the nickel position, giving the defending Super Bowl champions another versatile piece heading into the autumn schedule.
Coincidentally, the scheduling gods have aligned for an early reunion. The Los Angeles Chargers are slated to square off against Smith and the Seattle Seahawks during a Week 4 matchup in the Pacific Northwest.
Parallel Front-Office Maneuvers
Alongside the transaction in Seattle, the Los Angeles Chargers finalized a secondary deal, sending TeRah Edwards in exchange for another sixth-round pick.
Like the Smith trade, the departure of Edwards highlights a broader strategy of turning camp contributors into draft capital when training camp battles yield surplus depth. By securing future picks, the franchise preserves long-term roster flexibility and adds trade currency for future draft-day maneuvers.
As the regular season approaches, the front office will continue to monitor waiver wires and practice-squad configurations to finalize the backend of the roster. For now, general managers across the league have pivoted their focus from evaluation to execution as the opening kickoff draws near.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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