Much of the talk around the NFL draft isn’t just about who has been taken, but also about those who keep falling as the rounds pass.
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy certainly fits that category in 2026, as the projected first-round pick is still available on Day 3 with three rounds already concluded.
McCoy entered the draft after a torn ACL during offseason training and surgery forced him to miss the entire 2025 season, and it appears to be raising red flags with teams.
The Athletic reported that teams believe McCoy has a cartilage issue that could require surgery, raising concerns about his short- and long-term health.
They would need a full evaluation to confirm, however.
His pure talent is undeniable.
noti.group’s Steve Serby predicted McCoy would last with the Chiefs at No. 29 in his final mock draft, but Kansas City traded up to nab LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager had McCoy being taken by the Dolphins at No. 30 in his final mock draft, writing that the “concerns around McCoy’s knee are real,” but feels he can be a difference-maker.
USA Today’s draft analyst Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz ranked him as the No. 11 player in the class.
The 6-foot-1, 188-pound McCoy was an All-American in 2024 with 13 passes defended and four interceptions. He had a fine pro day with a 4.37 40-yard dash – one of the fastest times among corners.
“People think he can step in and impact a roster right away, but there are questions about his longevity in the league,” ESPN’s Schefter reported during the second round.
“For right now, we have a situation where he’s still on the board, one of the elite talents in this draft in a spot that nobody thought he would be.”
It will be interesting to see just how far McCoy falls with the draft ending Saturday.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
