There's no shortage of mock draft content with the 2026 NFL Draft right around the corner. And with so much variability, there's no shortage of players being mocked to the LA Chargers with the No. 22 pick.
That being said, ESPN's Kris Rhim still found a way to surprise Chargers fans.
ESPN put together an entire first-round mock draft using the team's various beat reporters. Each reporter put on their GM cap and took a player for their respective team based on who was available. Rhim did his best Joe Hortiz impression and took Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Here's some of the reasoning behind the selection:
"General manager Joe Hortiz and first-year defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary would be jumping for joy if the draft played out this way. A right ACL tear probably would be the reason for McCoy dropping to 22, but he is still one of the best players in this year's draft. Cornerback isn't one of the Chargers' top needs, but he's the kind of talent L.A. wouldn't just pass on despite having holes elsewhere."
Jermod McCoy would be a shocking, and polarizing, pick by the Chargers
It's easy to see the train of thought behind mocking McCoy to the Chargers in this exercise. Hortiz has been adamant about his philosophy of picking the best player available in the NFL Draft regardless of needs. If McCoy falls to No. 22, he certainly will be the most talented.
But that talent comes with concerns that Rhim touches on in his analysis. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. And while he appears to be ready to go for the start of the 2026 NFL season, there are newfound concerns about McCoy needing another surgery to his knee.
The ACL is reportedly fine, per Tom Pelissero. The concerns are reportedly around a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee. That's almost more concerning than the ACL as there could be worries about his long-term impact.
It doesn't matter how talented a player is if they can't stay on the field. A team like the Chargers may talk themselves into McCoy providing an immediate impact, knowing that his long-term availability will be a question mark. But that won't even matter if McCoy can't stay on the field in his rookie season.
This also leaves the Chargers in a precarious position the rest of the draft. Los Angeles desperately needs a qualified starting left guard and by not taking one in the first round, the team risks losing out on any of the exciting options.
The Emmanuel Pregnon and Chase Bisontis of the world aren't guaranteed to be there when the Chargers are on the clock in the second round, especially with the lack of depth at guard. Hortiz may prioritize talent over need, but the No. 1 priority needs to be protecting Justin Herbert.
Should Chargers fans rule out this possibility? Not at all. McCoy is talented enough to potentially convince the Chargers to overlook the injury concerns. But would that make it a smart move? Perhaps not.
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