With the 2026 NFL Draft less than a month away, projections continue to be released daily, and ESPN’s Field Yates is the latest notable analyst to release his.
In his two-round mock draft, Yates sees the Chargers kicking it off by taking an unconventional route with the No. 22 overall pick with former Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
Here is why he mocked McNeil Warren to the Bolts:
The Chargers have needs at edge and guard to address in the draft, but safety is a sneaky area where they need to get younger. Derwin James Jr. will be a 30-year-old free agent next offseason.
As Yates mentioned, the Chargers have bigger needs to address, including guard. However, the top guard prospect, Vega Ioane, went one pick before them to the Steelers. Rather than taking an edge rusher, Los Angeles gives defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary a playmaking safety to play alongside Derwin James Jr.
The defense would greatly benefit from his knack for creating turnovers. McNeil-Warren forced 11 fumbles during his college career at Toledo, the most in the FBS since 2022.
In the second round, the Bolts get their guard with Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon.
While the Chargers’ offense will look different under new coordinator Mike McDaniel, coach Jim Harbaugh will always have an affinity for big, powerful linemen. Pregnon certainly fits that bill at 314 pounds with an 82⅞-inch wingspan.
Pregnon is an experienced lineman with nearly 3,000 snaps of experience and only one sack allowed over his final three seasons. The 6-foot-5 and 318-pounder is a strong, mauling guard who shows the awareness, strength and power to deliver a blow to defenders. Pregnon also has impressive mobility for his size, which would allow him to excel as a puller in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers make surprise selection in ESPN’s latest mock draft
Reporting by Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
