Joey Bosa is gone, and the Los Angeles Chargers are officially entering a new era on the edge. After nearly a decade of dominance and 72 sacks, Bosa was released earlier this offseason to clear over $25 million in cap space. Between declining production and nagging injuries, the move wasn’t exactly shocking—it was overdue.
The Chargers used that newly freed-up space to bring back Khalil Mack on a one-year, $18 million deal, to give the Bolts a unit of Mack, Bud Dupree, and Tuli Tuipulotu. That’s a sturdy rotation for 2025, but it’s a short-term fix. Mack turns 35 and is on a one-year deal, Dupree is a solid rotational piece and also a free agent next year, and Tuipulotu still feels like more of a high-end complement than a true No 1. edge rusher.
That’s why the 2025 NFL Draft looms large. The Bolts own the 22nd overall pick and have a real shot to grab a long-term edge rusher who can grow into that Bosa role. They need juice off the edge now, but more importantly, they need it for the future.
The Chargers need to find their next cornerstone, and this draft has plenty of options.
5 EDGE prospects the Chargers must target in the 2025 NFL Draft
(Names appear in alphabetical order by first name.)
Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
We kick off our exercise with a fellow Ohio State Buckeye, Jack Sawyer. Funny enough, Sawyer also won a National Championship with the Buckeyes, just like Bosa did back in 2014. They're basically the same player.
All jokes aside, Sawyer would be a great addition for the Chargers. He's got great size (6-foot-4, 260 pounds), a high motor, and utilizes his strength and power well at the point of attack. He isn't going to wow anybody with his athleticism, that's not his game. He can be a solid starter for the Bolts, but expect his contributions as a pass rusher to be fairly limited. But he will be a force against the run—consistently setting the edge and blowing up rushing lanes, so pick your poison.
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. seemingly took all the athleticism that was supposed to go to Jack Sawyer and kept it all to himself. Pearce has a good frame—6-foot-5, 242 pounds—that could easily be filled out a bit more at the next level. Right now Pearce is more athlete than polished pass rusher, but that's okay. He has the potential to thrive at the next level.
The biggest knocks on the Tennessee edge rusher are that he's not good against the run, and he needs to learn how to fully utilize his long arms into pass-rushing wins against offensive linemen. It might take him some time to become a fully polished edge rusher, but he has the tools to be a game-wrecker for the Chargers for the next decade.
JT Tuimoloau
Sawyer's teammate from Ohio State brings a lot of similar characteristics to the table. JT Tuimoloau has good size for the position (6-foot-4, 265 pounds). He's a good block shedder with a strong upper body and blows up screens and quick-passing plays regularly. His pass-rushing arsenal is brute strength and bull rushes with not much else. But that does allow him to collapse the pocket.
He's not the best athlete. He's not the best against the run. He lacks the bend and balance to turn tight corners on opposing linemen. However, the kid's got one heckuva motor and is coming off a 12.5-sack College Football Championship-winning season... so maybe, just maybe, parts of his game will translate well into the NFL, potentially benefitting the Chargers as they look for Bosa's replacement.
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
If the Chargers want a rugged, throwback-style edge who can immediately help set the tone up front, Landon Jackson is their guy. He’s 6-foot-6, 273 pounds with strong hands, a high motor, and the physicality to lock out tackles and control the edge. His block recognition is sharp, and he’s no slouch as a pass rusher either—using a solid cross-chop and long-arm combo to generate pressure.
He may not be the bendiest athlete in the draft, but he plays with effort and discipline, which fits perfectly on the edge to allow Khalil Mack or Tuli Tuipulotu to abuse opposing quarterbacks. You’re not drafting him for flash—you’re drafting him because he can step in and play meaningful snaps right away.
Mykel Williams, Georgia
Williams is the kind of traits-heavy edge rusher the Chargers’ defensive line room could mold into a star. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds with 34-inch arms, he brings the ideal frame, power, and flashes of explosiveness off the ball. Against the run, he’s a monster—violent hands, stout at the point of attack, and capable of setting the edge with authority.
He’s not a finished product as a pass rusher yet, but the raw ability is there. With some seasoning and coaching, Williams could develop into a true game-wrecker in LA’s front. The upside is too high to ignore, especially for a team that needs youth and potential on the defensive line. If he's available at No. 22, it would be very hard to pass on him.