Chargers Linked as Ideal Fit for Underrated Defensive Prospect

New defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary could mold Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds into a Day 2 steal.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:35pm

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The Los Angeles Chargers have several needs to address in the 2026 NFL Draft, including cornerback after the departure of Benjamin St-Juste in free agency. While the top cornerbacks in the class may be off the board by the time the Chargers pick, ESPN's Matt Bowen believes Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds could be a perfect fit for the team's defensive scheme in the second round.

Why it matters

The Chargers are looking to add young talent to their cornerback room to complement Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. Ponds, despite his smaller stature, has Round 1 upside and could develop into a long-term solution for the team under new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary's scheme.

The details

Ponds was the best defensive player on the best college team in the country last season, finishing with the seventh-best coverage grade among qualified players at the position per Pro Football Focus. While his 5'9" frame and 29 3/8" arm length may hurt his draft stock, Bowen believes Ponds' short-area speed, ability to match up on intermediate routes, and competitiveness at the catch point make him an ideal fit for O'Leary's zone match coverage system.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April.

The players

D'Angelo Ponds

A defensive back prospect out of Indiana University who is considered underrated due to his smaller stature but has Round 1 upside.

Chris O'Leary

The new defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, who is expected to implement a zone match coverage scheme that could cater to Ponds' skillset.

Tarheeb Still

A cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers who Ponds could complement in the secondary.

Cam Hart

Another cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers who Ponds could complement in the secondary.

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What they’re saying

“Under new coordinator Chris O'Leary, the Chargers will likely play a lot of zone match coverage. That would cater to the ability of Ponds, who has the short-area speed to close on the ball and can match up well on intermediate routes. Ponds is also competitive at the catch point, finishing with two interceptions and 10 pass breakups last season. And he's a competitive run defender despite his size.”

— Matt Bowen, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Chargers will look to address their cornerback needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, either through the first round or potentially finding value in the second round with a prospect like D'Angelo Ponds.

The takeaway

The Chargers have an opportunity to add a talented, albeit undersized, cornerback prospect in D'Angelo Ponds who could thrive in their new defensive coordinator's scheme. Ponds' combination of coverage skills and competitiveness could make him a steal on Day 2 of the draft.