Projecting 2024 Chargers EDGE depth chart: Bud Dupree pushes Chris Rumph off-roster

The story of the 2023 season for the Chargers' EDGE room was defined by dynamic pass rush ability without as much volume. Courtesy of TruMedia Sports and pointed out by The Athletic's Daniel Popper, Los Angeles' defense combined for10 sacks on the 44 snaps that Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Tuli Tuipulotu played together.

But of course, the issue was that said efficiency was on such a small sample size. Bosa played well when on the field in 2023, but his hamstring, toe, and foot sprain injuries forced him to miss about half of the season.

Had the Chargers gotten more of their pass rush trio together last season, the story on defense could've been different. Despite a change in defensive scheme and approach, the new coaching staff still hopes to achieve a similar vision with those three key pass rushers.

Breaking down Chargers EDGE depth chart

The starting duo: Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack

Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack's contractual situations were up in the air for part of the offseason as decisions loomed over the Chargers' new management. The outcome of them both returning to the team seemed unlikely at one point, but it was cemented by their willingness to take reworked contracts for 2024.

Mack comes into his age 34 season after a resurgent 2023 campaign. Some will debate how replicable his 17 sacks from last year are, but the veteran NFL defender peaked across the board by any metric. 88 pressures was the highest in a season for Mack since 2016 (96).

52 run stops was Mack's best output since he totaled 53 in the 2017 season. He had the lowest missed tackle percentage of his career since 2020 and increased his year-to-year PFF run defense grade by 29.6 points.

Perhaps Mack won't hit quite the same highs in 2024, but he's shown his reliability and explosiveness in each of his first two Chargers seasons. The picture looks much different for the aforementioned Bosa. 6.5 sacks and 24 pressures wasn't bad for the amount of football in question, but it definitely felt like the games in which he played through injury were understandably not up to par with Bosa's usual performances.

2024 could be special for Mack and Bosa if they're both healthy with Jesse Minter dialing up pressure packages. However, the question of what could be will always linger over the Chargers until they get more of their dynamic duo together.

In the rotation: Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree

Tuli Tuipulotu looks to build off of his breakout rookie campaign. In his first season, the USC product totaled 4.5 sacks and 51 pressures. While the peak pass rushing production didn't quite sustain through the rest of the season after his hot start, he was consistently making plays that needed to be made. Tuipulotu finished fourth amongst all EDGE rushers in PFF run defense grade.

Bud Dupree comes over from Atlanta on a two-year contract worth up to $6 million. While far removed from his Pittsburgh prime, Dupree still had 6.5 sacks and 38 pressures. He's a productive player that adds to the most significant depth the Chargers have had at EDGE rusher in quite some time. Per PFF, Dupree's 65.4 run defense score last season was his highest since the 2019 campaign.

On the bubble: Chris Rumph II

A foot fracture prematurely ended Chris Rumph's season last November. After showing some flashes last preseason, Rumph never was particularly involved in the defense other than when he was needed due to depleted depth. In six games, Rumph had just five pressures and four run stops.

The signing of Dupree and his contract structure make it difficult to find a roster spot for Rumph, unless the team were to keep five EDGE players. Barring an injury to one of the top four EDGEs in the remainder of the offseason process, it's fair to say that the Duke product is currently on the outside looking in.

Practice squad contenders: Ty Shelby, Tre'Mon Morris-Brash, Chris Collins, Andrew Farmer II, Savion Jackson

Ty Shelby returns for his third season in the Chargers' system after bouncing around between the practice squad and active roster. Andrew Farmer II returns in a similar capacity after being elevated to the 53-man roster last season. At this point, it seems like both are competing for practice squad roles if the main four EDGE rushers mentioned are healthy.

Tre'Mon Morris-Brash, Chris Collins, and Savion Jackson represent the 2024 UDFA crop. Morris-Brash feels like the name to watch out of this group. At UCF this past season, he registered a career high 35 pressures and 8.5 sacks.

While not quite there as a filled out, complete EDGE player, Morris-Brash has requisite bend and burst on the outside to perhaps develop into something more in the pros.

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