Jermod McCoy Slides Past Third Round as Injury Concerns Rise
Despite being ranked by ESPN as the second-best cornerback in the class and being widely viewed as a first-round pick, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy has slipped past the third round of the draft, remaining undrafted after Day Two when many expected him to be gone early in Day One. McCoy's slide has prompted many to question his knee injury, which may require serious surgery.
McCoy's knee had been a question mark throughout the draft process, having torn his ACL in 2024 and missing the 2025 season rehabbing the injury. According to a report from NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the repaired ACL is not the issue; rather, it is a bone plug in his knee. The cornerback reportedly needs surgery to replace the plug, which was used to repair cartilage damage in his knee. According to Sports Doctor Jesse Morse, the surgery could cause McCoy to miss significant time.
Jermod McCoy
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) April 21, 2026
This would be a potentially significant surgery and would likely knock them out for the entire year.
The expert at doing these is Dr. Dan Cooper, who happens to be the team doctor for the Dallas Cowboys
Several NFL players have had their surgery and have had very… https://t.co/0Twkzol0wg
Barring the injury concerns, McCoy is an elite prospect who could make a significant impact in a team's secondary. McCoy earned First-Team All-SEC in 2024 and possesses elite physical tools, running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. CBS Sports compared him to Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, citing his exceptional ball skills. McCoy heads into Day 3 of the draft as the top-ranked prospect remaining, providing an opportunity for a team to get a steal in the later rounds.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 8:12 PM.