Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers need help in the trenches and they get just that in ESPN’s latest free agent pairings.
Until free agency actually arrives and players start signing their contracts for the 2025 season and beyond we will have countless free agent think pieces and matchmaker articles placed thrust in front of us. Today is no different as we’re taking a look at ESPN’s Top 50 free agents and their “perfect matches” picked by NFL analyst Matt Bowen.
First up, Bowen’s No. 11 free agent, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, is tabbed as a great get for the Chargers as they look to solidify a defensive line that featured some bargain signings in Poona Ford and Teair Tart.
“An impact defender who can bring energy to the defensive line, Odighizuwa fits in the Chargers’ base 3-4 under front and could provide pass-rush upside in nickel/dime sets,” says Bowen. “Odighizuwa had 4.5 sacks last season, and his 30 pressures were tied with the Jets’ Quinnen Williams for the second most among defensive tackles.”
The Chargers needed more from their pass rush this past season and it looks like Odighizuwa could do just that for the unit. If the Bolts bring back Ford on another team-friendly contract, I’d really like this tandem in the middle.
The other player to be named a perfect fit for the Chargers is center Ryan Kelly. The 31-year old also played at Alabama, graduating just before Bradley Bozeman took over the starting job. Kelly has played his entire career for the Colts and was named a Second-Team All-Pro during the 2020 season.
“Jim Harbaugh’s club needs more out of its centers, and Kelly plays with a physical demeanor that could fit the Chargers’ run game. An on-the-field leader with excellent football awareness, Kelly had a pass block win rate of 95.9% (sixth best among centers) and didn’t allow a sack last season. So he can help secure the pocket for quarterback Justin Herbert, too.”
The Chargers need a new center to grow with Justin Herbert through the prime of his career, but if Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh cannot find one in the draft, Kelly is more than capable as a bridge center for at least a year or two. He’s not Corey Linsley, but he’ll be a valuable piece along the interior as the Chargers hope to drastically improve that area ahead of the 2025 season.
Three internal Chargers free agents were also included in Bowen’s top 50. They were edge rusher Khalil Mack (No. 9), cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (No. 31), and running back J.K. Dobbins (No. 47).
Mack was paired with the Green Bay Packers. Here’s what Bowen had to say about the match:
*“The Packers adding Mack to pair with Rashan Gary would boost their pass rush off the edges. Mack had six sacks and 41 pressures in 2024 with the Chargers. And even though he’s turning 34 this week, he’s still a three-down force with the steady play speed to heat...
