The Los Angeles Chargers defense will have high expectations in the 2026 season after being one of the best in the 2025 season under Jesse Minter. The Bolts hired Chris O’Leary to become the next defensive coordinator after Minter left to take the head coaching position with the Baltimore Ravens.
With a new defensive scheme, O’Leary should add as much to his defense to help his first season as a DC go well. The 2026 NFL Draft is just a few days away, with the Chargers slated to make their first selection with the 22nd overall pick.
One NFL writer believes the Chargers could add a defensive back to the squad and
Chargers Predicted to Add SEC Defender
GettyChargers secondary could get some big help in the 2026 draft
The Los Angeles Chargers allowed 3,314 passing yards in the 2025 season in Jesse Minter’s second season. While the number sounds high, it was the fourth-fewest in the league. The defense was able to achieve this without any star-studded names at secondary, aside from Derwin James, a safety, at times playing the nickel corner spot.
One NFL writer believes the Chargers should add to the secondary and help the pass defense for the Chris O’Leary era of playcalling.
NFL lead draft writer Eric Edholm predicts the Bolts will select Tennessee Volunteer cornerback Jermod McCoy with the 22nd overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“I’ve mostly slotted pass rushers and O-line help to the Chargers, but they also could use a corner,” Edholm wrote. “McCoy’s medical evaluation is tricky after he missed all of 2025 with an ACL tear, and I don’t know how the Bolts view him from a risk standpoint, but a slip from the top half of Round 1 wouldn’t stun me, given how he didn’t return to full football action until recently, more than a year after suffering the injury.”
As Edholm noted, McCoy didn’t play in the 2025 collegiate season due to a torn ACL, but his numbers from previous seasons show that he can compete.
Through 25 games in college, the cornerback has logged 6 interceptions and 16 pass deflections, with 75 total tackles.
“McCoy is a toolsy outside corner with CB1 flashes, but an ACL tear robbed him of a much-needed third season,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about McCoy. “He’s opportunistic with strong ball skills at the catch point. His route squeeze and zone awareness should improve with more reps. We should expect McCoy’s athletic traits and instincts to help him make up for lost time once he gets into camp.”
Jermod McCoy Injury Issues
GettyLos Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh
Though Jermod McCoy has healed up from his ACL tear, it still remains a concern for many teams around the league.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, it’s the “longevity” of the defender that is a worry for teams.
“Without getting into all the ins and outs of the medicals, the question isn’t whether he’ll be ready to go when he joins his new team next week,” Breer wrote. “It’s more centered on his longevity, making his case similar to—maybe a little worse than—[Arizona Cardinals‘ cornerback] Will Johnson’s last year.”
Johnson was slated to be a first-round pick, but a knee injury had him fall to the second round. The cornerback played in 12 games his rookie season and appeared to be a positive addition for the team, logging 10 pass deflections.
If Jermod McCoy’s knee injury is a true worry, many teams may shy away from him. If it doesn’t bother the Chargers, taking the CB at 22nd doesn’t sound too bad.
Chargers Predicted to Draft 6-Interception CB to Help New Defensive Coordinator