The countdown is on to the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Chargers currently hold the No. 22 overall pick and could go a handful of different routes in Round 1.

This is the second installment of a four-part series looking at potential options the Chargers have in the first round as we take a look at the secondary.

Why a CB makes sense

The Chargers have a strong mix of starters and depth players in this room.

Donte Jackson was perhaps the Chargers best cornerback in 2025 from a production standpoint as he led the Bolts with 12 pass breakups and had four interceptions, which tied for the most on the roster.

Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart both took a step forward in Year 2 and are valuable pieces in the secondary as a pair of young and improved cornerbacks. Both players were fifth-round picks in 2024.

Nikko Reed flashed in training camp and the preseason and saw some action as an undrafted rookie while Deane Leonard returned to the Bolts in free agency this offseason and will once again be a key special teams piece.

And while Eric Rogers, Isas Waxter and Jordan Oladokun are also on the roster, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said it might be time for the Chargers to take a long-term look at the group.

"I don't think it's a super high need, but of course, you can never have too many of those guys," Reid said. "I still expect them to take one, but I like Still and Hart and continue to develop both of them."

Who could be the pick?

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is viewed as the consensus top cornerback in the draft, but he is likely to be long gone by the time the Chargers pick 22nd overall.

So, we'll focus on three other cornerbacks projected to go in the range where the Bolts have their first-round selection.

The first is Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds.

McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL but did take part in Tennessee's Pro Day on March 31 where he tested well, including a time of 4.40 in the 40-yard dash.

McCoy is Reid's No. 11 overall prospect while NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah (No. 15), The Athletic's Dane Brugler (No. 14) and Pro Football Focus (No. 17) all have him close together in their respective rankings.

Reid wrote:

McCoy didn't play this season after suffering a torn ACL in January. Before the injury, McCoy wasn't only the CB1 of the class; he was one of its top overall players. He had four interceptions in 2024, showing his ability to create turnovers and his easy change-of-direction skills. There's no denying what he displayed as a sophomore -- it was that good -- but the knee injury has muddied his evaluation. Opinions on McCoy are mixed, and it will be interesting to see where he ultimately ranks and how high he'll be picked in a class that lacks marquee talent at the top.

McCoy had four interceptions in 2024 for Tennessee and had two in 2023 when he played at Oregon State.

Colton Hood, McCoy's teammate at Tennessee, is also a Round 1 candidate in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Hood, who had an interception and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2024, is listed at 6-foot and 193 pounds.

Known for his physical style of play, Hood is generally viewed as a Top 30 prospect in the draft.

Reid has him ranked 22nd overall while Jeremiah tabbed him as his No. 25 prospect. Brugler put him at No. 30 overall while PFF ranked him at No. 34.

Jeremiah wrote:

Hood has average size but excellent play speed and toughness. In press, he is patient, staying on balance before using his hands to redirect at the line of scrimmage. He is fluid to turn, open up and mirror underneath. He has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. From off coverage, he trusts his eyes and is efficient with his plant-and-drive on balls in front. Hood is consistently in position down the field -- he can locate and play the ball -- but will get grabby at times when the ball is in the air. He is more than willing against the run, fighting through blockers and serving as a reliable tackler in space. Overall, Hood is a complete player and should be a very solid starter immediately at the next level.

Finally, Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell could also be an option for the Chargers in Round 1.

Terrell, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, is the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell.

Brugler has Terrell at No. 27 overall while PFF (No. 23) and Reid (No. 25) have him in the same range. Jeremiah tabbed Terrell at No. 34 in his rankings.

Brugler wrote:

Terrell is a fluid, easy mover with light footwork in his pedal and read-and-drive reactions. He crowds receivers up and down the field and displays instinctive qualities to find and play the football. You would have liked to see more interceptions from him, but he posted impactful production the past two seasons (combined 25 passes defended, eight forced fumbles) and plays with a "Honey Badger" aura.

Terrell had three career interceptions in three seasons at Clemson.

How would this impact 2026 and beyond?

Not much would change in the short term as this is more of a long-term draft pick.

Jackson, while still an elite cornerback, is slated to be a free agent in 2027 and is also 30 years old. Still and Hart, meanwhile, are still on their rookie contracts but will both be free agents in 2028.

Adding a first-round cornerback would accomplish two goals in the secondary.

First, it would likely add some competition for playing time and starting spots, something Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh routinely stresses around the building.

But taking a cornerback at No. 22 overall would also give the Chargers defense a foundational piece to build around for the next few seasons as the team transitions under new Defensive Coordinator Chris O'Leary.