The Los Angeles Chargers bolster the team's defense in this latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers sit at 3–1, but as promising as their start has been, one weakness continues to stand out - the secondary. Opposing quarterbacks have found too much success targeting the Bolts’ corners, and it’s become clear that the franchise hasn’t had a true difference-maker at the position since Casey Hayward was patrolling the back end in his prime.

That’s why the latest 2026 NFL mock draft from A to Z Sports will pique the interest of Chargers fans. With the No. 25 overall pick, the Chargers are projected to select Jermod McCoy, cornerback, Tennessee.

“Jermod McCoy has slid a bit in this mock, potentially due to his current injury situation. He’s still recovering from his torn ACL, so many scouts don’t know where to place him alongside his peers for next year’s draft,” wrote Adam Holt of A to Z Sports New Orleans. “That being said, last time we saw him on the field and healthy he was a dominant defensive playmaker for the Tennessee Vols. This pick has massive upside and fills a need here for the Bolts.”

The need is undeniable. Jesse Minter’s defense has made strides up front and at linebacker, but the cornerback position remains thin. Injuries and inconsistent play have exposed the Chargers on the outside, particularly against high-powered passing attacks. Adding a player like McCoy - a long, athletic, and aggressive cover man when fully healthy - could help solidify the defense and provide the kind of lockdown presence Los Angeles has lacked for years.

There are, of course, risks. McCoy’s draft stock has been in flux as he works back from the torn ACL. But when healthy, his ball skills, fluidity in coverage, and physicality at the line of scrimmage made him one of the SEC’s most disruptive defensive backs. For a Chargers team with playoff ambitions, rolling the dice on a high-upside player at a position of glaring need makes sense.

If McCoy can return to form, the Chargers may finally have their answer at corner - and the kind of defensive difference-maker who can tilt matchups in January. For now, it’s just a projection. But it lines up perfectly with what the Chargers need most to take the next step.