Chargers' Kimani Vidal Emerges as Top 2026 NFL Draft Trade Candidate

Seahawks, Packers, Vikings and Giants named as potential landing spots for the 779-yard rusher.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:41am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a running back in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in navy, green, and orange hues, conceptually representing the versatility and trade value of the player.Vidal's versatile skill set and team-friendly contract could make him a coveted trade target as teams look to add depth to their backfields ahead of the 2026 NFL season.Today in Pittsburgh

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off next Thursday in Pittsburgh, and an NFL analyst believes Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal could be a prime trade candidate on draft day. Sportsnaut's Matt Johnson believes Vidal, who had a promising 2025 campaign, could be an ideal target for teams in need of a complementary backfield piece due to the thin 2026 running back draft class and Vidal's affordable $1.075 million cap hit.

Why it matters

With the upcoming NFL Draft lacking top-tier running back talent, Vidal's combination of production and affordable contract could make him an attractive trade target for teams looking to bolster their backfield depth without investing a high draft pick.

The details

Vidal, who is entering his third NFL season, rushed for 779 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2025 while serving as the Chargers' secondary ball-carrier behind starter Austin Ekeler. His strong performance and reasonable contract could make him an enticing option for teams like the Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, and Giants, all of whom are in need of running back help.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off next Thursday (April 24, 2026) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Kimani Vidal

A running back for the Los Angeles Chargers who had a promising 2025 season, rushing for 779 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler

The starting running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, with Vidal serving as his secondary ball-carrier.

Matt Johnson

An NFL analyst for Sportsnaut who believes Vidal could be a prime trade candidate on draft day.

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What they’re saying

“The 2026 NFL Draft class is unusually thin at running back, and with Vidal carrying just a $1.075 million cap hit this season, he's an ideal target for teams in need of a 1B for their backfield committee.”

— Matt Johnson, NFL Analyst

What’s next

Teams interested in acquiring Vidal will likely need to act quickly, as the Chargers could look to move him during the 2026 NFL Draft in order to maximize his trade value.

The takeaway

With a thin 2026 running back draft class and Vidal's affordable contract, the Chargers' backup running back has emerged as a prime trade target for teams looking to bolster their backfield depth without investing a high draft pick.