Until the new league year starts and we begin to find out where all the most notable free agents will land for the 2026 season, we’re going to be hearing a ton about predictions and best fits. New from ESPN, three current Chargers have landed on ESPN’s list of the top 50 2026 free agents.
Let’s go ahead and check out where they ended up ranked along with the team analyst Matt Bowen believes is their best fit.
9.) EDGE Odafe Oweh
Best fit via Bowen: Los Angeles Chargers
What Bowen had to say:
“Oweh’s production in L.A. after
being traded from the Ravens should keep him with the Chargers under new coordinator Chris O’Leary. He had 7.5 sacks with the Chargers in the regular season and added three in their wild-card loss to the Patriots. He’s an explosive rusher whom O’Leary can scheme for one-on-one matchups.”
Oweh was astounding for the Chargers down the final stretch of the season after getting his legs under him following the trade. Notching 7.5 sacks in 12 games is solid and the three he had in the team’s biggest game of the season shows he has the “show up” factor when it matters.
There’s going to be some tug-of-war in regards to whether he’ll stay in LA or possibly head back to Baltimore to play under Jesse Minter, but I believe this is a must-sign for the Chargers, regardless of
22.) EDGE Khalil Mack
Best fit via Bowen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What Bowen had to say:
“The Bucs had 37 sacks last season, which ranked 18th in the league. They need to address the edges of their pass rush, and while Mack might be seen a situational player for Todd Bowles’ defense, the defender can still create disruption and get home to the quarterback. An elbow injury forced Mack to sit out five of the Chargers’ games early in the 2025 season, yet he finished with 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures.”
Mack missed a good chunk of the season but still turned in an impactful performance with his all-around game. He is still elite at setting the edge and going through the faces of opposing offensive tackles, even if the numbers say he’s missed a step or two.
Mack’s number one goal is still to win a playoff game and then a Super Bowl. The Chargers have seemed like a place where he could at least attain that first goal, but the postseason win still eludes him despite playing for three different franchises in his career.
I would not blame Mack for feeling like he needs a final change of scenery to invite a playoff win, but that obviously depends on there being a contender who wants to add him at his preferred price tag. The Chargers have the money to sign him. So do the Bucs, whom Bowen believes would be a good fit for the veteran.
33.) OG Zion Johnson
Best fit via Bowen: Las Vegas Raiders
What Bowen had to say:
“The Raiders can upgrade their offensive line with Johnson. He’d play the left guard spot in Klint Kubiak’s system, using his mobility in the zone run game. Plus, Johnson’s youth and durability fit the rebuild in Las Vegas. He is just entering his prime playing years, with a 90.7% pass block win rate over his four-year career with the Chargers.”
Johnson was more than serviceable in 2025. However, that ceiling that he look to raise this past season was also kept from rising too high given the players he was forced to go to battle with on either side of him this week. No Rashawn Slater and Bradley Bozeman at center was a tough draw. He still played well enough to potentially earn a second contract with the Chargers despite not necessarily living up to his first-round billing.
If he winds up signing elsewhere, the Chargers will unfortunately have one more hole to fill along their offensive interior. Luckily for them, there are some decent players who shouldn’t cost too much that could come in an be an upgrade over any of the three interior players from 2025. If they can land center Tyler Linderbaum, or even guard David Andrews, they’d be in a great place heading into the NFL Draft.
