It's getting to be that time of year. We know what NFL teams stink and what teams don't, so the media is already plugging in holes for each team's needs in next April's draft.
Good news for Tennessee football fans is that two of their top defensive backs are projected to be first-round picks, showcasing how Josh Heupel develops players for the next level.
On Sunday evening, CBS Sports' Josh Edwards posted his updated 2026 NFL mock draft, and it featured Tennessee cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colon Hood.
Edwards projected McCoy to be taken 15th overall by the Carolina Panthers. This would be a fun landing spot as the Panthers are on an upward trend, possibly winning the NFC South division. McCoy, despite missing all of 2025 with an ACL injury, is still projected to be a top-level player in the NFL, which is excellent to see that scouts think he can bounce back from a brutal injury.
Colton Hood was projected to go to the Seattle Seahawks 29th overall which would be a phenomenal landing spot in my opinion. Mike McDonald is one of the best defensive minds in the league, and it would set Hood up for success right away.
What having two first round picks means
Just a week after Heupel signed his best class in school history, this is a great recruiting tool for future prospects. Yes, we would all love to have McCoy and Hood back in 2026, but it's extremely tough to turn down a round one grade in the NFL.
The best part about this is that Heupel and Tim Banks can leverage this with the top corners in the transfer portal. We get guys in the league.
It’s hard to ignore that replacing McCoy and Hood won't be an easy task, but the staff has a great selling point with the first round grades.
Tennessee fans should be excited that two of their stars might hear their named called by Rodger Goodell on Thursday night of the NFL draft.