The LA Chargers dodged the worst-case scenario with Khalil Mack's arm injury but the team still needed to add edge rusher depth with the former All-Pro on the shelf. On Thursday, the Chargers made that help official with a player who is all too familiar with filling Mack's shoes.
After working him out on Wednesday, the Chargers officially signed 2019 Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick Clelin Ferrell on Thursday. The Raiders drafted Ferrell with the fourth overall pick after a horrid first season without Mack in 2018.
Ferrell didn't pan out for the Raiders despite his early draft selection. Ferrell lasted four seasons with the Raiders before spending a year in San Francisco and Washington in each of the last two years.
Chargers sign Clelin Ferrell to attempt something he already failed: replace Khalil Mack
It's a full-circle moment for Ferrell, who now has the chance to do for the Chargers what he couldn't do for the Raiders. However, based on his production in the NFL, Chargers fans shouldn't hold their breath over this being the case.
To be fair to the Chargers, the team wasn't going to land a true difference-maker to replace Mack while he is on the shelf. Anyone still available to sign is on the market for a reason. The valuable difference-makers are all on rosters.
The alternative would have been trading draft capital to a team with a deep edge rusher room, like the Philadelphia Eagles. However, with Mack set to return this season, the Chargers rightfully didn't feel the need to press for that type of move.
If Mack was out for the season the Chargers probably would have felt differently and been more aggressive. But they weren't, and Ferrell is now a Bolt.
Ferrell will likely slot in as the third edge rusher on the Chargers' depth chart behind Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. Rookie Kyle Kennard and preseason standout Caleb Murphy also provide depth, although they have been less than inspiring.
Kennard was a healthy scratch in Week 2 after a forgettable preseason. Murphy didn't generate a single pressure after Mack was knocked out of the game against the Raiders.
Ferrell may not be the most exciting addition, but he will have to do for now. The Chargers' pass rush was going to take a massive hit one way or another and the hope now is that Mack can return sooner rather than later.