Jermod McCoy should be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Heck, he should be a top-10 pick. But as we roll through the second round, the 2024 second-team All-American remains on the board.
ESPN's Adam Schefter relayed the bad news about McCoy's fall — NFL teams are not quite sold on his health. Recent reports have come out that McCoy made need additional surgery, and it's clear that the medical reports are forcing potential suitors to look elsewhere.
"Obviously, a defensive back fell last year in Will Johnson, and now we have another situation where the Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy has fallen into the second round," Schefter said. "He clearly is a first-round talent, but suffered a knee injury where he tore his ACL, underwent surgery and obviously there are some teams that have some concerns about that knee right now. People think he can step in and impact a roster right away, but there are questions about his longevity in the league."
Jermod McCoy's draft fall adds to the questions about his health
Many projections had McCoy being selected between the 10th and 25th pick in the first round, but as the 50th pick of the draft, five cornerbacks have been selected and McCoy remains available. The Atlanta Falcons, who were in need of a shut-down corner, opted for Clemson's Avieon Terrell. The New York Jets, also in need of a corner, selected D'Angelo Ponds from Indiana.
Love the Terrell pick for ATL. You can’t test instincts with your stop watch.
— Jakob Sanderson (@JakobSanderson) April 25, 2026
While we’re on corner, I’m gutted for Jermod McCoy. I’d argue he was the most talented player UT has had in the Heupel era.
Clearly the medicals are terrifying but I really feel for the guy
McCoy missed the 2025 season recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in January 2025 during offseason workouts. Over a year after the injury, McCoy did not do on-field drills or run during the NFL Combine, instead choosing to do everything at the Tennessee Pro Day in late March. McCoy posted a 4.38 40-yard-dash, 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump and 38-inch vertical at Pro Day. He hoped those impressive numbers would prove his health, but it's clear many NFL teams still have questions.
It would be a shock if McCoy wasn't selected at all on the second day of the draft, but the hope is that he stays healthy for the team that picks him and makes the other 31 franchises regret their decision not to.
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