Chargers Must Fix $100 Million Edge Void at No. 22

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Chargers are staring at a massive hole on the edge after Odafe Oweh bolted for a $100 million deal with the Washington Commanders on March 9. Despite a busy start to the 2026 offseason, the Chargers have yet to find a definitive replacement for the man who served as the motor of their pass rush last year. With the No. 22 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, Jim Harbaugh and GM Tom Telesco have no room for error.

The Cost of Losing an Engine

Losing Oweh isn’t just about losing a player; it’s about losing the identity of the defensive front. Oweh’s 7.5 sacks and elite 17.3% pressure rate in 2025 allowed the Chargers to run creative three-edge packages that baffled AFC quarterbacks. While Tuli Tuipulotu broke out with 13.0 sacks last season, he cannot carry the load alone. The front office brought back Khalil Mack on a veteran deal, but he is closer to a mentor role than a three-down wrecking ball at this stage of his career.

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New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who recently returned to the Bolts from Western Michigan, thrives on versatility. His system requires a heavy rotation of explosive rushers to stay fresh. Right now, the depth chart behind Tuipulotu and Mack is a collection of “what-ifs” and special teamers. The atmosphere at the facility is tense; everyone knows the clock is ticking to find a partner for Tuipulotu before camp opens.

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Who is Available at Pick 22?

The 2026 class is loaded with talent, offering the Chargers a lifeline. Several prospects have the physical tools to step in on Day 1:

• Keldric Faulk (Auburn): A 276-pound mountain of a man who fits the Harbaugh mold perfectly. He is a power-first rusher with the frame to slide inside on passing downs.
• T.J. Parker (Clemson): A technician with a lightning-quick first step. Parker is widely viewed as a first-round lock and a “nice fit” for the Chargers’ aggressive scheme.
• Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State): At 268 pounds, he is an elite run defender with the acceleration metrics that suggest high-end sack potential in the pros.
• R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma): The wildcard of the group. Though smaller at 249 pounds, his flexibility and bend are reminiscent of the elite speed rushers the Chargers just lost.

“Odafe was a huge part of what we did, and you can’t just replace that overnight. We need guys who are ready to hunt. This draft is going to be about finding that next dog who wants to play in the backfield.”
— Tuli Tuipulotu, Chargers Outside Linebacker

Playoff Implications and What Comes Next

The AFC West is a meat grinder. With Justin Herbert entering his prime and Mike McDaniel now calling the plays on offense, the window to win is wide open. However, back-to-back wild-card exits have proven that a high-scoring offense isn’t enough. If the Chargers cannot disrupt the quarterback, their postseason stays short. Expect the war room to prioritize a high-motor rusher who can handle 500+ snaps immediately. The draft in Pittsburgh is exactly one month away, and for the Chargers, the first round is edge-rusher or bust.