The Los Angeles Chargers need to add to their pass-rushing depth this offseason.
The departure of Odafe Oweh to the Washington Commanders has left them with just two truly viable edge rushers. While Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu are highly disruptive presences at the line of scrimmage, the Chargers' depth behind them leaves much to be desired.
Both Bud Dupree and Kyle Kennard were used in a limited fashion in 2025. With Mack having just turned 35, they need to have a succession plan in place. At this point, this must come through the draft.
Edge rusher is a premium position, and the top of this class has some premier talents. If Los Angeles truly wants to grab a piece that can make an immediate difference, they will likely need to use their first or second-round pick. But given their needs at offensive guard and defensive tackle, that's a goal that's easier to theorize than to accomplish.
Thankfully, if things fall apart on draft night, one rising prospect could be their best insurance policy. Eric Gentry out of USC was recently listed as one of the class's top risers by Jeff Legwold at ESPN. Although he needs some major refinement, he could be an ideal late-round insurance policy for the Chargers.
Eric Gentry has the tools the Chargers need, and he could be the perfect late-round swing in the draft
Although Gentry played linebacker with USC in his final college season, there are many scouts who believe the 6'7", 221 lb athlete has the tools to move to edge rusher at the next level.
Here's what an anonymous AFC defensive coordinator quoted in Legwold's piece had to say:
"He's a unique body type, but he's played a lot of games (52 over five seasons), has some sacks, knocks the ball down, gets the ball out. If he'll put in the work, there are snaps for him, [he has] the kind of wingspan to attack the ball."- AFC Defensive Coordinator, quoted by ESPN.
In spite of Gentry's deficiencies as a run defender, he posted strong all-around grades in 2025, per Pro Football Focus's system. He earned a 71.5 pass-rush grade (across limited snaps) and a 72.1 coverage grade. He worked out with the defensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine. But any hope of him fulfilling his projection as a pass-rusher at the next level will require him to gain significant strength.
He wouldn't be the ideal replacement plan for Mack given how raw of a prospect he is. If the Chargers truly want some certainty at the position, going with someone like T.J. Parker in the first round or Zion Young or Malachi Lawrence in the second would be their best bet.
But if their immediate needs exclude them from taking one of those premier talents, trading out of the first for extra draft capital and selecting Gentry on Day 3 could be a viable option. At the very least, it would provide some competition for Dupree and Kennard until Los Angeles could fill that hole next offseason.
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