Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s lengthy wait is over.
Thought of a top-15 expertise within the 2026 NFL Draft, medical issues over a knee harm suffered forward of the season noticed the gifted cornerback slide out of the primary spherical, after which out of the second day fully. When the fourth spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft started McCoy was nonetheless obtainable, and a few have been questioning if his slide would proceed.
The Las Vegas Raiders put an finish to that, transferring up one spot in the beginning of the fourth spherical to make McCoy their latest cornerback.
Once more, primarily based on the movie McCoy put down through the 2024 season at Tennessee, he is likely one of the high gamers on this class. Take this instance, an interception in opposition to Alabama ultimately zone:
I like the whole lot about this play. Certainly one of McCoy’s strengths, in my viewing, is his persistence in press protection conditions. He doesn’t panic when a receiver tries to emphasize his leverage, however relatively he waits … after which strikes. That’s precisely what he does right here, timing his jam to perfection earlier than getting his eyes to the soccer.
Right here is one other instance, which comes on a 4th-and-2 state of affairs in opposition to Florida. McCoy is aligned on the backside of the display screen:
He’s giving the large receiver this slant route, and once more he doesn’t panic when the receiver cuts inside him. That’s when he will get his jam on the WR, will get his eyes to the quarterback, after which will get his hand to the soccer.
One other slant route with McCoy aligned on the backside of the display screen:
Once more, no panic right here. The receiver will get him to speak in confidence to the sideline when McCoy’s exterior leverage is threatened, however he stays calm, will get to the receiver’s hip, and closes on the throw for one more move breakup.
Pay attention to the ball expertise on this interception in opposition to Vanderbilt:
It’s performs like this that made McCoy one of many top-graded gamers on any board.
Now, the medical issues are severe. Between the ACL surgical procedure that ended his 2025 season earlier than it started, to the latest reviews that he may want a second surgical procedure to restore a “bone plug” that was put into his knee, there’s a threat right here for the Raiders.
However to get him on the high of the fourth spherical? That’s large worth for Las Vegas. And with the Raiders going by a rebuild, the group can take its time with McCoy, and even make 2026 a redshirt season for him so he can get again to 100%.
As a result of so far as expertise goes? He’s among the best within the class.
