Jermod McCoy will be one of the intriguing stories in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After an ACL injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 college football season, McCoy will enter the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the top ranked cornerbacks on the board, which gives much value to how impactful he was when he was on the field in the 2024 college football season.
The 6-foot-1, 193-pound cornerback, who is noted for his ball skills and natural instincts in the defensive backfield, transferred to the University of Tennessee from Oregon State after the 2023 college football season. In his lone season with the Volunteers, McCoy solidified himself as a top prospect with 44 tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 passes defensed.
With his ability to impact the football field with his press coverage skills, what will fascinate NFL teams is his scheme versatility and ability to create turnovers as a player who attacks the ball. While he will need to work on run support, the one red flag will obviously be how well he bounces back from the torn ACL suffered in January 2025.
The fact that he didn’t get back on the field during the season with Tennessee could emphasize that concern or make him the ultimate wild card in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jermod McCoy is a top cornerback talent with “ball-hawking traits”
The fact that McCoy didn’t play a snap during the 2025 college football season but is still ranked as one of the top 25 prospects by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., is impressive and indictive of just how dominant McCoy was as a defender when he was on the field.
In his latest 2026 NFL draft big board rankings, Kiper has McCoy at No. 13 and the top cornerback in the draft.
Kiper writes:
“McCoy hasn't played yet in 2025 after suffering a in January, but he still has the chance to be the first cornerback off the board in April. He began his college career at Oregon State, picking off two passes there in 2023. McCoy's ball-hawking traits really emerged once transferring to Tennessee, as he picked off four passes and broke up nine last season. His on-the-ball production will get Day 1 interest.”
Also Read: Top landing spots for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane in the 2026 NFL Draft
The fact that McCoy didn’t play in 2025 could lead to a bit of a slide in the draft depending on his team physicals and how he looks during the 2026 NFL Combine. Will his production in 2024 be enough for teams in need of a top cornerback talent be enough for NFL teams to take a gamble in the first round?
With the answers to that question, here are 3 NFL fits for Jermod McCoy in the 2026 NFL Draft.
3 NFL teams in position to land Jermod McCoy
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have two first round picks, so they can decide to take a risk with one of the picks. With cornerback being a need, Jermod McCoy is a high reward option at No. 13. The Rams could potentially double dip at the position by taking McCoy high and then adding another corner later in the draft to add youth and depth to their defensive backfield. In McCoy the hope is he becomes that top corner they have been seeking by mid-season. Teams selecting ahead of the Rams in need of a corner will need Day 1 value. At least with the Rams he can get time to get his mojo back without the pressure of being a Day 1 performer.
Other first round options for the Rams: Spencer Fano (OT), Mansoor Delane (CB), Caleb Downs (S)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers took a similar risk in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison who slipped in the draft due to injury concerns. McCoy isn’t expected to fall far if he does fall which means he could be available when the Buccaneers select at No. 15. If the goal is to solidify their defensive backfield by adding players around Jamel Dean, then the idea of a healthy McCoy could be too hard to pass up. Like with the Rams, he wouldn’t have the pressure to be a Day 1 impact player but could learn and grow playing alongside Dean to be one by mid-season.
Other first round options for the Buccaneers: Aveion Terrell (CB), Sonny Styles (LB), Kenyon Sadiq (TE)
Seattle Seahawks
The best-case scenario for Jermod McCoy is if he does slide and end up on a team like the Seattle Seahawks. All three teams could be best-case scenarios considering those teams should be playoff contenders in 2026. If he does slide to the end of the first round, the Seahawks will jump at the opportunity, especially since cornerback could suddenly become a top need once the draft comes around. They will have Devon Witherspoon and safety Nick Emmanwori, but Coby Bryan, Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen will all be free agents once the season ends. A corner bill be at the top of the list for the Seahawks, if that corner is McCoy, they win the draft.
Other first round options for the Seahawks: Colton Hood (CB), Brandon Cisse (CB), Connor Lew (C)