The Los Angeles Chargers suffered a major loss in free agency when Odafe Oweh went to the Washington Commanders on a four-year, $100 million deal.
This is not an indictment of the Chargers' decision to let him walk. It was simply untenable for them to match that offer, and Washington will now need to expect production out of Oweh that he hasn't fully proved himself capable of.
In an ideal world, however, Oweh would have been brought back as a complementary pass rusher alongside Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. That trio was highly effective in 2025, and Los Angeles learned that it cannot simply rely on a pair of capable pass rushers to earn the pressure they need. They are now in need of an additional edge rusher either through free agency or the draft.
While their choices in the first round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft were once relatively limited, they've now become wide open with Oweh's departure. This is crystallized most clearly in CBS Sports' most recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft, in which Garrett Podell has the Chargers selecting edge rusher Keldric Faulk out of Auburn at 22nd overall.
Odafe Oweh's departure leaves the Chargers with too many needs to meet early in the draft
Before Oweh's departure was cemented, Los Angeles's first-round targets were relatively easy to circle. With the departure of both Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton, it was highly likely they would choose to draft a guard (or a tackle to be kicked inside) at that slot, saving themselves from overpaying on the market for premier talent at the position.
There was also the possibility the chose to draft a defensive tackle given the sheer talent that will be available at the end of the first round at that position.
Those needs remain the same. But Oweh's departure also leaves them with a dire need at edge rusher, and Podell's projection makes perfect sense in that context.
There are lingering concerns about Faulk's lack of production in his final college season, but his frame and athleticism indicate a high ceiling at the next level. He's a long and fluid rusher who can get past his blocks with finesse, according to Daniel Jeremiah's scouting report for NFL.com. But, also according to Jeremiah, he will need polish at the next level in order to approach his assignments with maximum aggression and speed.
Grabbing Faulk in the first round would be a major victory for the Chargers. But the possibility of selecting an edge rusher there leaves them with an assortment of questions to answer, including how they will address their needs at guard and defensive tackle without spending first-round draft capital on those positions.
Oweh's departure, therefore, has left Los Angeles in a precarious position.