Playing at a Los Angeles-area high school and then at USC, Tuli Tuipulotu will make a smooth transition to the NFL. The Chargers chose the pass rusher at No. 54 overall. He is now set to start training camp on time.
The AFC’s Los Angeles franchise signed its second-round pick Monday. This completes the Bolts’ latest round of draft class deals. First-rounder Quentin Johnston signed last month. Like Johnston, Tuipulotu joins a position group housing two entrenched veterans.
Joey Bosa is entering his seventh NFL season, and his big-ticket contract remains a top-five pact among edge rushers. The Bolts still have Khalil Mack, a 2022 trade acquisition, as well. But the team played much of last season without Bosa, who has battled a number of injuries as a pro. Tuipulotu brings a proven track record as a college pass rusher. Barring another major injury to one of their starters, the Chargers figure to work in the young player as a rotational option behind Bosa and Mack.
Tuipulotu recorded 13.5 sacks with the Trojans last season, soaring to Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year acclaim and All-American honors. That sack count led the Pac-12 and ranked third in Division I-FBS; the accomplished edge defender added 22 tackles for loss. Tuipulotu worked as a 28-game starter in college. Given Mack’s status, it is not out of the question the rookie will begin a lengthy NFL first-string run in the not-too-distant future.
Mack is still tied to the contract the Bears gave him upon acquiring him from the Raiders in 2018’s late-summer blockbuster. That six-year extension runs through the 2024 season, but Mack’s cap number — thanks to yet another restructure this offseason — shoots to $38.5MM next year. With no guarantees left on the deal, it is not hard to see the Chargers evaluating Tulipulotu’s rookie year with Mack’s future in mind. For this year, however, the Bolts boast an intriguing setup that should allow for the rookie to develop behind two standouts. The team has not re-signed 2022 cog Kyle Van Noy.
Here is the Chargers’ 2023 draft class:
Round 1, No. 21: Quentin Johnston, WR (TCU) (signed)
Round 2, No. 54: Tuli Tuipulotu, OLB (USC) (signed)
Round 3, No. 85: Daiyan Henley, LB (Washington State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 125: Derius Davis, WR (TCU) (signed)
Round 5, No. 156: Jordan McFadden, G (Clemson) (signed)
Round 6, No. 200: Scott Matlock, DT (Boise State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 239: Max Duggan, QB (TCU) (signed)