Minnesota acquired offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles from San…
Minnesota acquired offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles from San Diego in September 2015 for a 2016 sixth-round pick. Sirles became useful swing-line depth and started 14 games for Minnesota across 2016 and 2017. The Chargers used the pick at No. 198 on Derek Watt, a durable fullback and special-teams contributor. Both teams received an NFL player, but Sirles filled a more immediate and valuable Minnesota need.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 2016 6th round pick (198th overall, Derek Watt )
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Jeremiah Sirles
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota acquired Jeremiah Sirles from the Chargers at the end of the 2015 preseason and sent a 2016 sixth-round pick in return. The league transaction log and Pro Football Reference date the trade to September 5, while club transaction pages differ by one day; the existing September 5 date is retained. The Chargers later used the resulting No. 198 selection on fullback Derek Watt.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Sirles became more than a camp-body acquisition. After joining Minnesota, he developed into a versatile reserve capable of covering multiple offensive-line positions. He appeared in 14 games with 10 starts in 2016, then played another 14 games with four starts in 2017. During seasons when the Vikings needed flexibility up front, those snaps mattered. Getting 14 starts and two years of dependable depth for a sixth-round pick is a good veteran-market outcome.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
Watt also had a successful NFL career for a sixth-round selection. He played 110 career games and handled fullback and special-teams duties, including several seasons with the Chargers. His offensive touch volume was limited by role, but he was a legitimate roster contributor rather than a failed pick. That prevents this from being a one-sided trade.
Value in Hindsight
The question is which side extracted more value from the asset it received. Watt provided durability in a low-volume role, while Sirles directly helped Minnesota cover offensive-line injuries and supplied meaningful starts. The Vikings also received that value immediately instead of waiting for the following draft.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins narrowly, B- to C. The Chargers drafted a useful specialist, but Sirles' versatility and 14 Minnesota starts made the trade more valuable to the Vikings than the sixth-round pick proved to be for San Diego.