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Clemson EDGE rusher TJ Parker

The Los Angeles Chargers failed to keep Odafe Oweh after a strong 2025 season. Oweh signed a four-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Commanders.

The EDGE rusher logged 7.5 sacks in 12 regular season games for the Bolts and took down the quarterback 3 times in the AFC wildcard game. The 2026 NFL Draft is the perfect time for the Chargers to add a threat off the edge, after LA remained pretty quiet in adding external free agents this offseason.

One NFL draft writer predicts the Chargers will trade back in the upcoming draft and has the Chargers taking a potential long-term pass rusher.

Chargers Predicted to Select Khalil Mack Replacement

GettyThe Chargers could find a long-term replacement for Khalil Mack

While the Los Angeles Chargers failed to bring in an external defensive end this free agency, the team was able to bring back future Hall of Fame defender Khalil Mack on a one-year deal.

Mack is still able to produce at 34 years old (he turned 35 in the offseason), with 5.5 sacks in 12 games in the 2025 season. But the team needs a long-term option once Mack decides to call it a career.

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards predicts the Chargers will trade back from the 22nd spot in a deal with the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the 3oth pick and believes the Bolts will select Clemson EDGE rusher TJ Parker.

“The Chargers trade back, which allows Miami to move up, then take edge rusher T.J. Parker. Jim Harbaugh likely prefers using premium draft capital to address the trenches and now has a viable eventual replacement for Khalil Mack,” Edwards wrote.

Parker has spent his entire collegiate career with the Tigers, logging 126 tackles (41.5 for loss) and 21.5 sacks across 39 games.

Pro Football Focus gave the pass rusher an 80.5 overall grade for his performance in the 2025 season. The defender received a 74.5 pass-rush win rate and 77.5 run-defense grade from the publication.

If Parker were to land with the Bolts, he would have a nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro as his mentor. The Clemson Tiger would be a quality rotational piece behind Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, who combined for 18.5 sacks in the 2025 season — Tuli logged 13 sacks.

It should be noted that Tuipulotu is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is eligible for a contract extension. As of now, there has been no mention of the Bolts and the pass rusher engaging in talks to negotiate a new contract.

If the team fails to retain Mack or Tuipulotu beyond the 2026 season, then TJ Parker can be developed into a quality piece for the future.

What TJ Parker Brings to the City of Angels

GettyClemson defensive end TJ Parker

The Los Angeles Chargers’ defense was one of the best in the 2025 season and new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary could use all the help he can get in replacing Jesse Minter.

The Bolts’ defense was inside the top 10 in fewest rushing and passing yards allowed per game last season, and adding Parker could help elevate the defense even more.

“[Parker] strikes early to set very firm edges, then sheds quickly to finish tackles. Average short-area burst limits his ability to pursue the run in space and threaten tackles in a race to the top of the rush,” analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about the pass rusher. ” His rush production will be muted until he expands his approach but improvement is likely.”

Helping in two phases of the game, TJ Parker can be a valuable piece for the Chargers’ defense heading forward.