There are countless directions the LA Chargers can go with the No. 22 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Some are more popular than others, but they all depend on what happens the 21 picks prior to the Chargers being on the clock.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is a prospect whose name is gaining steam as the draft approaches, specifically in relation to the Chargers. ESPN's Kris Rhim picked McCoy for the Chargers in the outlet's beat reporter mock draft, and now, Todd McShay is stirring the pot as well.
McShay mocked defensive tackle Kayden McDonald to the Chargers and even name-dropped Keldric Faulk and T.J. Parker. But in the insight, McShay also provided Chargers fans with a nugget: the Bolts are the team he is hearing connected to McCoy the most.
"Note—this is the team I hear most often connected to Jermod McCoy in Round 1, but most of the intel has McCoy making a similar slide to Round 2 as we saw from Will Johnson a year ago," McShay writes.
Chargers have strongest round 1 connections to Jermod McCoy
For those unaware, McCoy is a polarizing prospect. There's a real case to be made that he is one of the 10 most talented players in this entire draft class; he also has more injury concerns than anyone else coming into the league.
McCoy didn't play at all last season after tearing his ACL last January. He has since recovered and should be ready for the start of the 2026 season, but there are more complications. According to Tom Pelissero, some doctors are concerned that McCoy may need a second surgery to replace the bone plug that was used to repair the cartilage in his knee.
The word degenerative has also been thrown around. While it's all pre-draft speculation at this point in time, it presents massive red flags, which is why his draft stock is falling in the first place.
Former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson found himself in a similar situation last year. He was certainly worth a top-20 pick talent-wise but fell to the No. 47 pick in the second round. Johnson had similar injury concerns and played 12 games his rookie season.
Jim Harbaugh passed on his former college player in the first round in favor of Omarion Hampton. The Chargers could take a similar approach with McCoy, but they also could be tantalized but his upside as a true No. 1 boundary corner.
General manager Joe Hortiz has been very clear about his philosophy of taking the best player available when the Chargers are on the clock. Assuming no big surprises, McCoy will probably be the "best" player available when the No. 22 pick rolls around.
Hortiz's mindset is likely why the Chargers are connected to McCoy in the first place. It doesn't mean the Bolts are guaranteed to take the swing, but they're certainly thinking about it. Smoke doesn't usually appear out of thin air.
Would it be a smart decision? That's up to fate to decide. But it certainly would be a surprising one.
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