Should the Chargers select Avieon Terrell?
The Los Angeles Chargers have been frequently linked to an interior offensive lineman in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft; however, that’s not the only avenue they can take. If an elite offensive line option isn’t available, it may be wise to invest in the secondary, particularly in Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz at USA Today explored this scenario in a recent mock draft. Although it seems counterintuitive not to protect Justin Herbert first, selecting Terrell would be a fantastic addition.
“With (Vega) Ioane off the board and a fairly precipitous drop at the position after him, Los Angeles shouldn't force the issue on the first day of the draft,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Instead, the Chargers can give new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary a corner who's well-versed in press-man coverage in Terrell.”
Penn State guard Vega Ioane is the popular pick for the Chargers. In fact, he’s mocked at pick 22 40% of the time according to the PFF mock draft simulator. Ionae would be an amazing piece in protecting Herbert and would form a young, reliable offensive line. However, that’s not the only successful pick the Chargers can make.
Terrell would be a perfect fit in Chris O’Leary’s defensive scheme. Although he’s not a big player, only standing just under 5-foot-11, 186 pounds, Terrell makes up for it with his competitiveness and physicality. The former Tiger is an impactful, three-down presence who makes headlines regardless of the play call.
Terrell is an amazing athlete and is smooth in coverage. He seamlessly transitions from backpedaling to sprinting. He has solid long speed that allows him to keep up with faster receivers. He doesn’t panic while the ball is in the air, but rather waits until the final moment to break it up. Despite his size, these qualities will allow him to continue lining up on the outside in the NFL.
Even with his prowess in coverage, Terrell’s impact against the run makes him stand out. He can quickly diagnose plays and flies downhill once he recognizes the run. He’s fearless in pursuit, not hesitating to engage with blocks or to make the tackle. Additionally, he’s constantly looking to strip the ball, and oftentimes succeeds (5 forced fumbles in 2025). This all stems from his competitive spirit as it’s clear that he will do whatever it takes for his team to win.
Although Terrell’s an amazing prospect, he isn’t perfect. A lot of his issues result from a lack of strength. He’s a willing tackler, but can struggle to bring down players in open space. Similarly, he has issues with press coverage due to a lack of physicality on the line. All of these are fixable with NFL coaching, but are cause for concern.
Overall, Avieon Terrell isn’t many Chargers fans' ideal pick in the first round, rather opting for an offensive lineman, but he would be a fabulous fit on the team and give them an impactful three-down player. His ability against the run, prowess in coverage, and elite mentality make him a highly regarded prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.