Akheem Mesidor
Getty
Miami EDGE rusher Akheem Mesidor
The Los Angeles Chargers failed to retain Odafe Oweh, who was one of the team’s best pass rushers of the 2025 season, and will have to look elsewhere
Oweh signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Commanders after his only season with the Bolts, leaving a gap in the team’s pass-rushing abilities.
LA has remained relatively quiet in bringing external free agents and has yet to bring in an EDGE rusher. With the NFL Draft less than three weeks away, it would be the best time for the Bolts to bring in a quality defensive lineman.
Chargers Predicted to Take Six-Year EDGE Rusher
Akheem Mesidor
GettyThe Chargers defense could receive some big help in the 2026 season
Los Angeles Chargers third-year EDGE rusher Tuli Tuipulotu was one of the best pass rushers in the 2025 season. Khalil Mack will be on the opposite side of him in 2026, but Mack is 35 years old, and he’s nearing the end of his career.
The draft is coming up soon, leaving the prime window for the Chargers to find an immediate replacement for Odafe Oweh and a long-term replacement option for Khalil Mack.
The Athletic released its latest mock draft and predicts the Bolts will select Miami EDGE rusher Akheem Mesidor with the 22nd overall pick.
“Mesidor also comes with some injury baggage, especially for an older player. But he’s going to arrive in the NFL ready to roll as a three-down edge who is terrific versus the run, while mixing power and savvy as a pass rusher. He’ll compete for time on day one,” Nick Baumgardner wrote for the publication.
Pro Football Focus graded Mesidor as the third-best EDGE rusher in the country with an overall grade of 92.5, with a pass-rush grade of91.7 and a90.5 run-defense grade.
The EDGE rusher was tied for the third-most sacks in the country, taking down opposing quarterbacks 12.5 times in the 2025 collegiate season.
If the Chargers were to select Akheem Mesidor, it would give first-year defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary another piece for his defense and could make his life a lot easier.
One NFL analyst compared the Miami EDGE rusher to Minnesota Vikings defender Jonathan Greenard.
Other Priorities on the Team
Rashawn Slater
GettyThe Bolts offensive line remains the biggest priority
While finding a replacement for Odafe Oweh is high on the list, the bigger worry for the Los Angeles Chargers is the interior offensive line.
The Bolts signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year deal, but still have worries on the guard spots.
Zion Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns and the LA parted ways with Mehki Becton, leaving both guard spots empty.
Los Angeles brought in Cole Strange, who played under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in the 2025 season, to fill in the right guard spot. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said the expectation was for Strange to be the starter next season.
Similar to the EDGE rusher spot, the Bolts have yet to address the guard spots for the 2026 season. Holding the 22nd overall pick, the Bolts have the prime opportunity to draft an immediate offensive line starter.