2026 NFL draft: 5 cornerbacks for Chargers fans to watch at Combine
· Yahoo Sports
On-field testing at the NFL Combine begins on Thursday, but Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz will speak to the media in Indianapolis on Tuesday, before the drills get going.
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Here are a few cornerbacks Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh could be watching during their time at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Chris Johnson, San Diego State
A local product, the 6'0", 190 lb Johnson is in at least the 70th percentile in in-game tracking of speed, acceleration, and agility. With the versatility to play inside or out, Johnson would create even more versatility in the Chargers' secondary, which likely needs another corner to help out a rotation that includes Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, and Cam Hart. Johnson is a disciplined corner who is more than willing to step up and make a tackle, which will endear him to this Chargers staff.
D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
The size (5'9", 173 lbs) will be a dealbreaker for many teams, but it likely won't be for the Chargers. Even with Jesse Minter off to Baltimore and Chris O'Leary in from Western Michigan, the bones of this defensive staff are the same as the Michigan group that coached Mike Sainristil into a second-round pick as an undersized corner that could shift from the boundary into the slot. Ponds is a tenacious corner who's put up excellent tape on the boundary against bigger receivers and has run defense chops and special teams experience.
Devin Moore, Florida
Moore might be one of the surprises of the week in Indianapolis, as his combination of size and speed could rocket him up draft boards despite missing the all-star circuit. Moore has injury questions to answer with a history of shoulder and back ailments, but his 6'3" stature will undeniably be appealing. Given how Hart has struggled with shiftier receivers, Moore's agility testing will be something to note for the Chargers as well.
Jadon Canady, Oregon
A slenderer option on the inside, Canady is more of a pure slot option if the Chargers think that Still can give them that inside/outside versatility more consistently. A confident player who Oregon also put at safety - where he had an interception against rival Washington late in the season - Canady comes from a family of track athletes and has game-wrecking potential in short zones. He also showcased his versatility as one of the top performers at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compares Canady to former Charger Bryce Callahan.
Avery Smith, Toledo
Canady was great at the Shrine Bowl, but Smith might've been the best overall DB at the event last month. A former quarterback who moved to corner during his freshman year at Toledo, Smith has a brotherly relationship with Eagles corner and Toledo alum Quinyon Mitchell. A patient player with the jets to make a play when he sees it, Smith is a good recovery corner and has no hesitation when making a play in run support. Long speed and tackling technique will be questions this week; however, he remains an intriguing option whom O'Leary saw on the MAC schedule this season.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 5 cornerbacks for Chargers fans to watch at Combine