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The Chargers retained veteran Khalil Mack and lost Joey Bosa, who signed with the Bills. Tuli Tuipulotu enters his third season, set to start opposite Mack. Bud Dupree will head into his 11th season as a pro.
If the team wants to build towards the future, this positional room could be addressed as early as the first round. However, if they're satisfied with their guys and would rather wait until later, there will still be some intriguing options.
Here is an edge defender for the Bolts in every round.
At 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is on the lighter side, which can sometimes show up against the run. But he is a menace at getting after the quarterback, winning with acceleration around the corner, good bend, and the length to overwhelm blockers. Ezeiruaku would add a speed element that the position group lacks. In 2024, he finished in the top three in the FBS in both sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (20.5).
Stewart’s first season with the Wolverines was the year Jim Harbaugh led them to a national championship. This last season, he led Michigan in sacks with 8.5. Stewart is an explosive pass rusher with a quick first step, an arsenal of counters, and a great finisher that will translate to the next level. Stewart could be a designated pass rusher in his rookie season, with the upside to eventually be a starter.
Swinson put together his best college season in 2024, leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (13), sacks (8.5) and pressures (59, fifth most in the FBS). At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, he has excellent size for the position. On the field, he shows the desired burst, length and high motor to win around the edge at the next level.
Kennard led the SEC with 11.5 sacks, coming up just shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s school single-season sack record (13). Kennard has the get off, speed rush and range to be a solid designated pass rusher but needs to build upon his consistency with his pass-rush moves and defending the run to become an every-down player in the NFL.
Robinson played just 370 defensive snaps in college, finishing with 5.5 career sacks. While he didn't see the field as much on defense, Robinson made his money as a core four special teams player, logging 15 career special teams tackles. His ability to play special teams at a high level could be a selling point to the Chargers coaching staff. As a rusher, Robinson flashes first step explosiveness, good bend and coverage ability.
Ponder was productive in college, ranking third in school history with 26.5 career sacks. He is a solid player with a high motor on the edge who wins with burst around the corner and good hand usage to throw blockers off balance.
Walker was a standout for the Tigers this past season, finishing with 42 quarterback pressures, 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Walker's football smarts stand out, as he knows how to leverage and set up his pass rush. His good bend and flexibility allow him to get around tackles and to the quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers 2025 NFL draft: An edge defender prospect for every round
Continue reading...
If the team wants to build towards the future, this positional room could be addressed as early as the first round. However, if they're satisfied with their guys and would rather wait until later, there will still be some intriguing options.
Here is an edge defender for the Bolts in every round.
Round 1: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
At 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is on the lighter side, which can sometimes show up against the run. But he is a menace at getting after the quarterback, winning with acceleration around the corner, good bend, and the length to overwhelm blockers. Ezeiruaku would add a speed element that the position group lacks. In 2024, he finished in the top three in the FBS in both sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (20.5).
Round 2: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Stewart’s first season with the Wolverines was the year Jim Harbaugh led them to a national championship. This last season, he led Michigan in sacks with 8.5. Stewart is an explosive pass rusher with a quick first step, an arsenal of counters, and a great finisher that will translate to the next level. Stewart could be a designated pass rusher in his rookie season, with the upside to eventually be a starter.
Round 3: Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Swinson put together his best college season in 2024, leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (13), sacks (8.5) and pressures (59, fifth most in the FBS). At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, he has excellent size for the position. On the field, he shows the desired burst, length and high motor to win around the edge at the next level.
Round 4: Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
Kennard led the SEC with 11.5 sacks, coming up just shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s school single-season sack record (13). Kennard has the get off, speed rush and range to be a solid designated pass rusher but needs to build upon his consistency with his pass-rush moves and defending the run to become an every-down player in the NFL.
Round 5: Que Robinson, Alabama
Robinson played just 370 defensive snaps in college, finishing with 5.5 career sacks. While he didn't see the field as much on defense, Robinson made his money as a core four special teams player, logging 15 career special teams tackles. His ability to play special teams at a high level could be a selling point to the Chargers coaching staff. As a rusher, Robinson flashes first step explosiveness, good bend and coverage ability.
Round 6: Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly
Ponder was productive in college, ranking third in school history with 26.5 career sacks. He is a solid player with a high motor on the edge who wins with burst around the corner and good hand usage to throw blockers off balance.
Round 7: Johnny Walker, Missouri
Walker was a standout for the Tigers this past season, finishing with 42 quarterback pressures, 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Walker's football smarts stand out, as he knows how to leverage and set up his pass rush. His good bend and flexibility allow him to get around tackles and to the quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers 2025 NFL draft: An edge defender prospect for every round
Continue reading...
