{"id":213790,"date":"2025-01-31T18:00:48","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T23:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=213790"},"modified":"2025-02-01T08:34:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-01T13:34:54","slug":"the-chargers-have-must-fill-niche-need-before-the-2025-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/01\/31\/the-chargers-have-must-fill-niche-need-before-the-2025-season\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chargers Must Fill Niche Need Before the 2025 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Going into the 2024 season, the Los Angeles Chargers were discussed as a team with possibly the best EDGE rushing group<\/a> of the entire league.<\/p>\n

While this did not come to fruition and the group quite frankly underperformed due to expectation, the group is still expected to perform much better in 2025… as long as they are still a part of the team.<\/p>\n

The Chargers EDGE Room: Change is Coming<\/h2>\n

The Chargers EDGE room is a complicated one. Contracts, possibly retirements and the lack of youth gives General Manager, Joe Hortiz<\/a> some interesting decisions for his offseason plan.<\/p>\n

With Joey Bosa being the team’s number one cut candidate<\/a> and Khalil Mack at the end of his contract, the team is staring down the barrel of Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree<\/a> as their EDGE duo in 2025.<\/p>\n

While this duo would be a lackluster starting<\/em> group, they are both quality players for their respective ages and values. That said, it is very likely that this team will re-sign Mack and role with Tuipulotu as their EDGE 2.<\/p>\n

If this happens, a trio of Mack, Tuipulotu and Dupree will give you a strong enough room to compete in 2025, especially if the re-sign their most underrated defender.<\/a> However, there is one issue; A niche role that is unfilled and is a MUST for the Bolts to add to this defensive line.<\/p>\n

What is the Said “Niche” Position<\/h3>\n

If you look at the “archetype” of rusher that Mack, Tuipulotu and Dupree are they all are very similar. They use power, effort and leverage to win against opposing offensive tackles and to get to the quarterback.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Both Mack and Tuipulotu are wonderful run defenders<\/a> who are constantly gap-sound and making plays in the backfield.<\/p>\n

While this is great, this Chargers EDGE room has absolutely no change-up, curveball, ace up their sleeve, or whatever cliche you want to use. Though power rushers are arguably the most important part of a defensive line, it is very hard to win at the NFL level with just power.<\/p>\n

That said, a speed rusher is a must for this team to add in free agency or in the draft. Someone who can win using burst and athleticism will give offensive tackles a change-up, which would in general free up the rest of this EDGE rush room.<\/p>\n

Chargers Off-Season Plan: 3 Targets to Add<\/h2>\n

Veteran Free Agent Option: Dennis Gardeck<\/h3>\n

Dennis Gardeck<\/a> has made a career out of being the speed rush change-up role player for the Arizona Cardinals. In seven games, Gardeck had three sacks. Gardeck is arguably one of the best in the league at the role but has yet to receive the flowers he deserves.<\/p>\n

As an option for the Chargers off-season plan, coming to Los Angeles could provide that for him as he is an impending free agent<\/a> for the Cardinals.<\/p>\n

At age 30, Gardeck will not remedy the youth issue the Chargers are facing along with the lack of speed, but Gardeck will likely not cost as much as other accomplished rushers, and will give the production and role that the Chargers seek.<\/p>\n

\n

Look at this rep from Dennis Gardeck. Beat multiple blocks to blow up the run.<\/p>\n

Related: Gardeck is PFF's highest graded Cardinals starter this season outside of Kyler Murray pic.twitter.com\/LrwcaFcuBY<\/a><\/p>\n

— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) September 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n