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People seem to be split on how they think the Los Angeles Chargers will perform this season on defense. New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary is expected to maintain many of the same principles that Jesse Minter, his predecessor, utilized over the last two seasons, but some feel the team will lose something in that transition.
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But one thing that is clear is that the Chargers have talent on defense. They have two established pass-rushers in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, a star safety in Derwin James and capable players elsewhere.
Still, they could use a little help on the inside of their defensive line, and a new 2027 NFL mock draft by USA Today has L.A. getting just that.
Another University of Oregon product headed to the Bolts?
Outside of their pass rushers, the Chargers do have some question marks on their defensive front seven. In this mock draft, they select A’Mauri Washington, a defensive tackle from the University of Oregon.
Washington is considered one of the very best defensive tackles right now in college football. In fact, a recent ranking by The Athletic had him at No. 2 among all defensive tackles, behind only Will Echoles of the University of Mississippi.
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At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, he is a massive physical specimen who comes very close to being as large as the offensive linemen he has to go up against. But he has quick feet and good burst that allow him to do his job well.
While Washington can create pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the inside, his biggest strength is run defense, which seems to make him a nice fit for Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who runs a base 3-4 defensive front.
Last season, he had 33 total tackles (15 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and eight passes defended. In doing so, he helped the Ducks get to the College Football Playoff semifinal round, where they lost to the eventual national champions, the Indiana University Hoosiers.
If he puts together a strong season, perhaps he could end up being an ironclad first-round draft pick next April.
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM.