Draft days are full of hope for most players looking to make the step up into the big leagues. And while most mock drafts have made it easier to have your finger on the pulse, there are always a few players who inexplicably slide down draft boards closer to D-day. Jermod McCoy is in that class this year.
The Tennessee Vols cornerback has seen his draft stock take a hit largely due to concerns about his health and durability. While those are understandable, McCoy wasn’t expected to fall as far as he has on Day 2.
NFL World Reacts to Jermod McCoy’s Slide
Due to an unfortunate knee injury McCoy suffered in January of 2025, McCoy missed the entirety of the 2025 college football season.
McCoy was slated to be one of the best cornerback prospects available, but he continues to fall. In PFSN’s College Football Cornerback Impact Metric, he ranked as the 36th-best corner in 2024 with an impact score of 87.9 and a letter grade of B+.
In two seasons (one with Tennessee and the other with Oregon State), he recorded 75 combined tackles, six interceptions, 16 passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss. There’s no doubt that he’s talented, but is he healthy?
Director of Underdog Hayden Winks posted, “Feel terrible for Jermod McCoy.”
Feel terrible for Jermod McCoy
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 25, 2026
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and Insider Matt Miller shared more concern about McCoy, posting, “I thought maybe Jermod McCoy would fall to the Will Johnson range (47 overall). This is just bizarre. Especially if the concern is more long-term than short-term.”
I thought maybe Jermod McCoy would fall to the Will Johnson range (47 overall). This is just bizarre. Especially if the concern is more long-term than short-term.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 25, 2026
If he’s fallen this far, there must be heavy concern for his knee. Pittsburgh Steelers Beat Reporter Nick Farabaugh posted, “Man, how bad are the red flags on Jermod McCoy’s knee?”
Man, how bad are the red flags on Jermod McCoy’s knee?
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) April 25, 2026
One comparison that McCoy is getting is how similar the situation is to last year’s cornerback draftee Will Johnson. Despite concerns over Johnson’s health, he ranked 35th in PFSN’s NFL Cornerback Impact Metric during 2025.
Comparing McCoy to Johnson, NFL Reporter Albert Breer posted, “There’s more on Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy in here. Most teams expected him to fall out of the first round. Just a really tough break. Question is not about playing in 2026. He’s ready to roll. It’s how long the knee will hold up, like with Will Johnson last year.”
There’s more on Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy in here.
Most teams expected him to fall out of the first round. Just a really tough break. Question is not about playing in 2026. He’s ready to roll. It’s how long the knee will hold up, like with Will Johnson last year. https://t.co/K8gz7a7yCS
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 25, 2026
Corners keep coming off the board and McCoy is yet to be called. If McCoy can overcome his knee injury, one team will be getting the steal of the draft, because he’s simply that good.
