The Los Angeles Chargers, no matter how you want to spin it, took a gamble when they let Odafe Oweh walk to the Washington Commanders in free agency.
The fact of the matter is that the Chargers were never going to match the four-year, $96 million offer that Oweh got in free agency. That isn't their typical approach to roster construction, and they weren't going to stray from that for a player without an extended track record of success.
But that also doesn't change the fact that, during his tenure in Los Angeles, Oweh was integral to Jesse Minter's ability to dial up pressure. He complemented Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu perfectly, and now, Akheem Mesidor— whom the Chargers selected at 22nd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft— will be counted upon to take over those duties.
Mesidor is an older prospect, and he's likely ready to take on that mantle. But as Bobby Kownack points out in his AFC West training camp preview for NFL.com, Mesidor's path to actual success is steeper than that. Immediate production would be nice, but Los Angeles is banking on Mesidor becoming the eventual successor to Mack as one of their starting edge rushers.
"There's enough pass-rushing depth that Mesidor won't have to take on too much too soon. More importantly, he has some stellar mentors inT uli Tuipulotu, who was sixth in the NFL last season with 13 sacks, and nine-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack. The hope is for a seamless transition from Mack to Mesidor alongside Tuipulotu as the leaders of the L.A. edge rush." Bobby Kownack, NFL.com
Akheem Mesidor must show signs of being an NFL starter— and that's a lot of pressure to place on a rookie
There's room to doubt Kownack's statement that Los Angeles' pass-rushing depth is sufficient to allow Mesidor to acclimate slowly to the NFL level. Behind their trio of Tuipulotu, Mack, and Mesidor, the Chargers have Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, and UDFA Nadame Tucker. It's possible that Tucker displaces one of Dupree or Kennard in training camp.
But as of now, it seems as though Los Angeles will be left with Dupree, whose production is clearly waning with age, and Kennard, who showed very little as an NFL-level pass rusher during his rookie campaign.
But there's also reason to be optimistic about Mesidor's ability to make an immediate impact on the Chargers defense. He was highly productive in his final season at the University of Miami, posting 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss across 15 games. Behind Tuipulotu and Mack, Mesidor should be able to meet Los Angeles' expectations in his rookie campaign, even in spite of the lingering concerns surrounding his age and athleticism.
The Mesidor selection, though, was a gamble on his production over the duration of his rookie contract. Mack is still a more-than-viable pass rusher, having posted 5.5 sacks across 12 games last season. But he's only returned on a one-year deal for 2026, and it's very possible that we're about to witness Mack's final season in the NFL.
Mesidor's path to success, therefore, does not simply lie through matching Oweh's production as a rookie. The Chargers need him to prepare himself as Mack's successor in Chris O'Leary's defense, learning to perform and generate pressure even when a large portion of the offense's attention is crystallized on him.
Perhaps there was no other way to approach this. A trade for an edge rusher would've depleted the Chargers' future draft capital, and the remainder of their selections in the 2026 NFL Draft were better-spent on other needs.
But as Mesidor enters his rookie campaign, the pressure on him is clear. While there will be time for him to acclimate, the Chargers desperately need immediate signs that their long-term gamble will pay off.
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