A'Mauri Washington could be a top target next April for the Chargers.
Oregon defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington’s otherworldly athleticism and every-down impact make him a potential first-round prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft. One team that should be interested in the senior is the Los Angeles Chargers. He would be an amazing addition to Chris O’Leary’s defensive line and be a valuable complement to JT Tuimoloau and Akheem Mesidor. USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz noticed the fit and projected it in his way-too-early mock draft.
“Jim Harbaugh's quest to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball seems bound to extend to next offseason,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Washington moves astonishingly well for a 330-pounder, but his real value to the Chargers would be the double teams he draws and run plays he routinely blows up.”
As Middlehurst-Schwartz noted, Washington’s superhuman athleticism, despite being six-foot-three, 330-pounds, enables him to dominate opposing linemen. He ranked number four on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 Freaks List with an impressive 36” vertical, 755 pound squat, 475 pound bench press, and was clocked in running 20.89 miles per hour. Although these are just numbers, they frequently show up on the field.
Washington’s athleticism is evident in his blazing first step, and he frequently beats his blocker immediately. This lets him consistently penetrate the backfield and blow up plays, particularly against the run. Plus, he has the power to bull rush opponents back, even flattening them on certain occasions. As a result, he requires a double team to be stopped. This gives other defensive linemen pristine opportunities to reach the backfield.
Beyond this, Washington can provide value as a pass rusher. He won’t ever be a double-digit sack artist, but he can pressure the quarterback and force him to escape the pocket. He doesn’t have a vast array of pass rush moves, but his aforementioned athleticism makes him a dangerous presence.
The Chargers have invested heavily in the defensive line, but that won’t stop them from adding more talent. Dalvin Tomlinson and Teair Tart are both fantastic contributors, but aren’t game-wrecking players. Additionally, Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been shy about his game plan: win through the trenches. Because of these traits, Washington will be an enticing option for them next April.
Summer scouting’s purpose isn’t to name prospects as perfect fits for next April. Instead, the focus should be on identifying potential prospects to scout throughout the college football season. With this in mind, fans should keep a close eye on A’Mauri Washington in 2026. It’s still early, but don’t be surprised if he’s a hot target next April.
