Chargers swap CB Avery Smith and DL TeRah Edwards for two 6th-round picks

The Los Angeles Chargers used roster cutdown day to reshape their depth chart, trading cornerback Avery Smith to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive lineman TeRah Edwards to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for two upcoming sixth-round draft selections. The moves, announced by the Chargers on Monday, reflect a front-office preference for acquiring additional future picks as the team finalizes its 53-man roster.

For the Chargers, the trades separate the team’s short-term needs from its longer-term evaluation. Roster cutdown day is typically when teams make the clearest decisions on which players can contribute immediately and which roles can be filled internally. By converting Smith and Edwards into late-round draft picks, Los Angeles is effectively betting that additional opportunities in the mid-to-late portion of the draft can help rebuild depth or add developmental talent.

Smith’s departure changes the competition inside the Chargers’ secondary. As a cornerback, his value has been tied to special teams and coverage assignments depending on the defensive package, and the trade indicates the Chargers decided not to carry him through the final phase of camp and preseason roster trimming. Seattle, by acquiring him, is essentially buying a known player from the AFC West’s system, giving the Seahawks another option for depth at cornerback as they progress through the season.

Edwards’ trade alters the Chargers’ defensive line picture. Defensive linemen often compete for a limited set of roles, including rotation spots and run-defense matchups. By moving Edwards and turning his availability into a sixth-round pick, the Chargers indicated they were prepared to move on rather than keeping his developmental trajectory on the roster. For Carolina, adding Edwards gives the Panthers a fresh interior and edge-capable look that can be evaluated within their own defensive structure.

The compensation in both trades is identical in round value, with each deal bringing Los Angeles a sixth-round pick. That matters because late-round selections can still become meaningful contributors, particularly for teams that emphasize development and athletic versatility. While a sixth-round pick does not guarantee immediate impact, it provides the organization an additional draft entry point to address the next wave of roster needs.

The personnel decisions also underscore a broader NFL reality, teams rarely hold onto every camp body once contracts, practice-time value, and scheme fit are weighed. Making two separate trades on the same cutdown window suggests Los Angeles preferred to control the outcome rather than risk losing players without compensation or carrying them longer than the staff believed necessary.

What to watch next is how the Chargers use the newly acquired sixth-round picks. If the team targets positions that need depth, the trades could be interpreted as a proactive approach to roster continuity. Conversely, if the selections are used to bring in players in areas where Los Angeles believes it can create a faster path to the lineup, the late-round capital becomes a way to convert present uncertainty into future stability.

For Smith and Edwards, the focus shifts to integration. Seattle and Carolina will determine where the players fit during preparation for the regular season, including coverage and special teams usage for Smith, and assignment-specific work for Edwards on the defensive front. Their value will be measured quickly through practice performance and the role each team assigns them as roster expectations tighten.