It all worked out in the end for him, but no doubt about it, this was a frustrating weekend for Jermod McCoy. The former Tennessee Volunteers star cornerback did not hear his name called in days one and two of the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite having obvious first-round talent, injury concerns regarding a degenerative knee issue had him falling to the very top of the fourth round to the Las Vegas Raiders.
After being drafted by the Raiders, McCoy told reporters about him maybe needing another surgery.
"All my doctors that did my surgery, they told me I'm good. I feel like I'm good, but I mean, but if there's something that they're wanting me to do for the longevity of my career, I'm willing to do that. I'm going to listen to the team, because I feel like they have my best interest for me. So, honestly, just whatever the team's plan for me is, I'm going to do that."
Had he have fallen even more, the Dallas Cowboys may have taken him because of their team doctor.
Top CB prospect Jermod McCoy tells reporters "I feel good" and is willing to do whatever the #Raiders want for his degenerative knee issue, including another surgery.
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) April 25, 2026
"All my doctors that did my surgery, they told me I'm good. I feel like I'm good, but I mean, but if there's… pic.twitter.com/vNg09r7Fok
While Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper is the foremost expert on dealing with the nature of bone plugs, McCoy's degenerative knee issues are now the Raiders' problem. For the time being, McCoy's talent was too good for the Silver and Black to pass up. Unfortunately, he may be one surgery away from his NFL career being over with before it even starts. Bone plugs are not for the faint of heart...
Either way, McCoy putting his full trust and faith into the Raiders shows he will be a team player here.
Jermod McCoy willing to go along with Las Vegas Raiders' plan for him
Over the better part of the 21st century, the Raiders have been the ultimate wild card when it comes to the draft processes. While it was a no-brainer for them to take Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall out of Indiana, taking a flier on McCoy's plummeting stock is something they typically do. How many times have we seen the Raiders reach on players with their draft selections?
Regardless, this claims to be a new era of Raiders football. It will be Mendoza's first year with the team, as well as new head coach Klint Kubiak. This will be year two for John Spytek calling the shots in the front office. Meanwhile, Tom Brady will occasionally spend some time in Mark Davis' ivory tower somewhere in Southern Nevada. Frankly, the Raiders owed it to themselves to bet on McCoy's health.
See, the Raiders took a chance on him when nobody else seemingly would. McCoy may be eternally grateful to them for giving him the opportunity of a lifetime. To be totally honest, the Raiders are the weakest team in a division that is very much in flux. Denver is on top. Kansas City used to be. What can we make of the Los Angeles Chargers? This is a move to help them cut into the deficit just a bit.
McCoy may be clammoring for longevity when it comes to his career, but another surgery is scary...
Add us as a preferred source on Google