CBS 2026 NFL Mock Draft Has Los Angeles Chargers Taking Consensus EDGE3 In Round 1

Steve Bradshaw specializes in covering the NFL Draft, NFL, and Fantasy Football for TWSN. Notably, Bradshaw has been able to cover the NFL Combine with media credentials for TWSN.

Outside of football, Bradshaw also has experience writing about the MLB & NBA.

Heading into the 2026 NFL draft, there are two scenarios that make a ton of sense for the Los Angeles Chargers. One of those is landing a guard, but Olaivavega Ioane is the only one worth taking at 22.

In this mock draft from Josh Edwards of CBS, Ioane went at pick No. 15, making this not an option for the Chargers. Instead, Edwards had Edwards go with what I view as their backup plan, an edge rusher.

With pick No. 22, Edwards had Keldric Faulk, who’s the consensus EDGE3 in this class (excluding Arvell Reese), going to the Chargers.

Key Facts:

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers

• 2025 Record: 11-6

• 2026 NFL Draft Picks (Days 1 & 2): 22, 55 & 86

Does Keldric Faulk Fit With the Los Angeles Chargers?

The reason the Chargers need another edge is that they lost Odafe Oweh this offseason. The Chargers were able to trade for Oweh during the 2025 season, as he played 12 games with the team.

With Oweh becoming a free agent in 2026, he didn’t stay with the Chargers for long. After recording 10 sacks in 2024 and 7.5 in 2025, Oweh was set up to get a strong contract given the value of edge.

Oweh ended up signing with the Washington Commanders on a four-year deal worth $96 million dollars. The move makes sense for Washington, but it puts Los Angeles in a tough spot.

Here’s what Edwards had to say about why he made the Faulk selection:

“Khalil Mack is not going to play forever. While Los Angeles has found a viable performer in Tuli Tuipulotu, the team needs more at the position in the short and long term.”

That’s a very fair assessment, as Mack is 35 years old, playing on a one-year deal. Going outside of the depth chart fit, Faulk makes a ton of sense for this roster.

Faulk hasn’t developed as a pass rusher yet, but he has fantastic athletic traits that give him the upside to do so in the future. With Faulk being able to add value as a run defender to pair with Mack now and also get to learn from the veteran, this pairing makes a ton of sense.

Should the Los Angeles Chargers Draft Keldric Faulk?

Due to the fact that Faulk only posted a 11.6% pass rush win rate (per PFF) in 2025, many are down on him despite the 8.6% run-stop rate. Faulk is a good player who ranks 17th on my big board.

When looking at both my big board and the consensus big board, Faulk actually looks like a slight value in that regard.

This is a pick that is going to come down to whether the Chargers feel comfortable betting on Faulk to develop as a pass rusher. One more thing that needs to be said in that regard is that Faulk had seven sacks in 2024; this was simply a down year for him, with two in 2025.

Overall, this pick just makes too much sense for the Los Angeles Chargers, assuming Ioane is not on the board.

Frequently Asked Questions
Keldric Faulk Stats?

In 2025, Faulk had two sacks and 29 tackles in 12 games.

Keldric Faulk College?

Faulk played at Auburn from 2022 to 2025.

Keldric Faulk Relative Athletic Score?

Faulk posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.10

Los Angeles Chargers Round 1 Pick?

The Los Angeles Chargers have pick No. 22 in the 2026 NFL draft.

CBS 2026 NFL Mock Draft Has Los Angeles Chargers Taking Consensus EDGE3 In Round 1

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