Clowney's proven pass-rushing could bolster the Chargers' defense. Is he the missing piece to pair with Mack and Tuipulotu?
With the 2026 NFL Draft a little more than a month away, and the Los Angeles Chargers knee-deep in NFL free agency, here is what I currently view as the team's most important needs:
- Offensive Guard
- X-Receiver
- Edge Rusher
The guard(s) would be to replace Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton.
The X-receiver would be in place of Quentin Johnston, who has proven to be less than what the team needs out of the position.
The edge rusher would be to replace Odafe Oweh, the Chargers best pass rusher in 2025, who signed a four-year deal to join the Washington Commanders in free agency.
Some of these positions can, and will, be addressed with the team's highest picks in the draft. There is plenty of speculation that the team will take the best guard available when it's their turn to pick in the 1st round, although I will admit that I'm starting to wonder if they'll at least consider taking a WR.
I've seen mock drafts that have the Chargers picking edge rushers, as well as defensive linemen that can help the pass rush overall.
The problem is that the team has more gaps in their roster than they have picks in the draft, but that should be less of an issue since the Chargers have one of the best salary cap situations in the entire league this offseason.
I had previously pitched the idea of the Chargers trading Johnston and a pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for WR George Pickens, a move that only makes sense for the Cowboys because they have more issues than the Chargers and less cap space to try and solve them.
Another potential casualty of the Cowboys' cap situation is edge rusher (and former #1 overall pick) Jadaveon Clowney, who signed a one-year, $3.45M deal to play in Dallas last season. He finished the season with 8.5 sacks in just 13 games, a pace not dissimilar from what Oweh was able to give the Chargers.
In his last four seasons, Clowney has played for four different NFL franchises. However, it seems to be due to his own desire to find the right fit (and playing time) more than any issues he causes in the locker room. At 33-years old, I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign another one-year deal with a team that can offer him regular playing time on a contending team.
A three-headed monster of Clowney, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu would be enough to keep the Chargers pass rush among the league's best. Hopefully, the Chargers are already talking with his agent.