The Las Vegas Raiders made a notable move in the 2026 NFL Draft when they picked former Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy in the fourth round.
At one point, he was viewed as a first-round level talent and one of the top cornerbacks in the class. A torn ACL, however, wiped out his 2025 season and raised some concerns about how quickly he can return to form and what his long-term upside will look like.
On the April 27 edition of “Sports Injury Central,” David J. Chao shared his thoughts on the Raiders selecting McCoy, who could be the steal of the draft if he can stay healthy.
“Does he fail a physical today? Probably,” Chao said. “Could he return to play some football? Probably. But to me, medically, that’s a Day 3 pick, not Day 1… Obviously, that’s not to wish him ill will, and that’s not to say the Raiders made a bad choice. I always use analogies. At some point, that Louis Vuitton bag with a scratch is worth buying.
“It’s not worth buying at $3,500, but at $500, that scratch on one side of the purse is worth buying, or that loose handle, or that broken zipper, or whatever you want to call it. Retail, it’s not worth buying, but at some point, it’s worth buying. So it’s a first-round talent, and I don’t think anyone doubts that [but drafting McCoy] on Day 3, it becomes a bargain.”
Raiders Need to Get the Most Out Jermod McCoy
With the uncertainty of how long McCoy’s NFL career can last, CBS Sports NFL analyst Bryant McFadden was blunt on the Raiders needing to get the most out of the cornerback.
“My steal [of the 2026 NFL Draft] was Jermod McCoy,” McFadden said during an April 25 appearance on CBS Sports HQ. “This was a guy who was, for sure, when you watch his tape, considered a first-round prospect, nowhere later than a top-15 pick, something like that. The Raiders got him in the top of the fourth round.
“Whichever organization drafts McCoy has to find a way to maximize everything they can out of him because of the health concerns. I believe the Raiders have something in place and let’s say it takes some time and he is not cleared until October.
“You are able to get a three- or four-year stint from him, this first-round talent, if you put him in that cornerback room right now and he is healthy, he is probably the most talented corner in their room among the experienced guys. So he is my steal, and I just hope everything works out in his favor.”
Jermod McCoy on Injury Concerns After Las Vegas Draft Pick
After being drafted by the Raiders, McCoy said his knee is feeling good and that the team will make any decision on additional surgery.
“All of my doctors that did my surgery told me [that] I’m good,” McCoy said (h/t Ryan McFadden of ESPN). “But if there’s something that [the Raiders] want me to do for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that because I feel like they have my best interest.”
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