Jermod McCoy's extensive time as the 2026 NFL Draft's "best player available" ended almost immediately on Day 3. With the first pick of the fourth round, the Las Vegas Raiders selected the former Tennessee cornerback with the 101st overall pick.McCoy was a consensus first-round talent who slipped all the way to the No. 101 because of concerns surrounding his injured knee. The Texas native underwent surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in January 2025 and he missed the entire subsequent college football season.McCoy put short-term concerns regarding the knee by participating in Tennessee's pro day in March.
He ran at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which would've tied for the second-fastest time among cornerbacks at the NFL combine.But multiple reports said teams have long-term hang-ups regarding the knee – specifically a bone plug used to repair cartilage.By snagging McCoy, the Raiders are gaining a 6-1, 188-pound man-coverage specialist who has "superlative ball skills and ample tools to stick with receivers throughout their routes," according to USA TODAY Sports NFL draft guru Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz.The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to take Louisiana State cornerback Mansoor Delane No. 6 overall on April 23. Many draft analysts and experts considered McCoy a similar caliber of player.
McCoy's teammate, Colton Hood, went 37th overall to the New York Giants. McCoy started his college career at Oregon State, where he played one season (2023).Las Vegas Raiders cornerback depth chartMcCoy joins a secondary that includes Taron Johnson as the slot corner and outside corners Eric Stokes and Darien Porter. The Raiders addressed the secondary earlier in the draft by picking safety Treydan Stukes in the second round (38th overall). To start the draft, Las Vegas selected reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza as the franchise's future franchise quarterback.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jermod McCoy injury leads to fall to NFL draft 4th-round draft: Details