This weekend, NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, will bolster their rosters through the highly anticipated NFL Draft. But while all eyes are on the new arrivals, it’s also a good time to revisit and finalize the details of some prior trades — including the 2023 deal that shipped veteran kicker Dustin Hopkins from the Chargers to the Cleveland Browns.
Breaking Down the Original Dustin Hopkins Trade
In August 2023, the Chargers dealt Dustin Hopkins to the Browns in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. At the time, the move allowed Los Angeles to clear cap space and adjust their special teams strategy.
- Browns received: Dustin Hopkins
- Chargers received: 2025 seventh-round pick
But What Happened to That Pick?
While Cleveland’s pick (originally projected at No. 218 overall) did land with Los Angeles, the Chargers didn’t hold onto it for long. Fast forward to February 2024 — the Chargers traded that seventh-round selection to the Atlanta Falcons to acquire quarterback Taylor Heinicke, a move aimed at providing reliable depth behind starting QB Justin Herbert.
In short: Dustin Hopkins was effectively traded for Taylor Heinicke once all the transactions played out.
We’ll keep an eye on how the selection from pick No. 218 ultimately pans out, but it’s worth noting that the Chargers no longer have that asset in their pocket.
Details of the Taylor Heinicke Trade
- Falcons received: Conditional 2025 seventh-round pick (originally from Browns via Chargers)
- Chargers received: Taylor Heinicke
What Did the Falcons Do With the Pick?
The Atlanta Falcons chose to hold onto pick No. 218 and used it in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Jack Nelson, an offensive tackle from Wisconsin. Notably, the conditions that could have upgraded the pick from a seventh- to a sixth-rounder were not met, keeping it as a seventh-rounder.
Reviewing Dustin Hopkins’ Impact in Cleveland
Initially, Hopkins looked like a steal for the Browns. In 2023, he posted an impressive 91.7% success rate on field goal attempts and solidified himself as a reliable piece of Cleveland’s special teams unit. His stellar performance earned him a lucrative contract extension.
However, 2024 brought a significant drop-off: Hopkins made only 66.7% of his field goals and saw his extra point success rate tumble from 92.3% to 85%. Whether injuries or mechanical issues were to blame, his second year was far less convincing.
Reviewing Taylor Heinicke’s Impact with the Chargers
Taylor Heinicke’s tenure in Los Angeles has been, by the numbers, very quiet — but that’s not necessarily bad for a backup quarterback. Heinicke appeared in four games but attempted just five passes all season. On the ground, he rushed twice for 20 yards but didn’t record any quarterback kneeldowns.
Heinicke was sacked three times, all during a single September game against the Steelers. Despite limited action, the Chargers valued Heinicke’s leadership and preparation behind the scenes enough to extend him this offseason on a one-year, $6.2 million deal.
In a roundabout way, the Chargers turned a kicker into a seasoned backup quarterback — a transaction that, while not flashy, may prove critical if injuries hit the quarterback room. As for the Falcons, they got a shot at boosting their offensive line with a young tackle in Jack Nelson. Meanwhile, the Browns face questions about whether Hopkins can rebound after his sharp 2024 decline.
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