The Las Vegas Raiders took a flier on upside in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting former Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy in the fourth round.
McCoy was viewed as a potential first-round pick and one of the top corners in the class. But a torn ACL wiped out his 2025 season, leaving questions about how quickly he can get back on the field and whether he can return to that earlier form over the long run.
As a result, he dropped to the fourth round, leading the Silver and Black to select him. Las Vegas likely saw the value in him if he could stay healthy, getting a first-round talent in the middle rounds.
On the April 29 edition of “Up & Adams,” Raiders general manager John Spytek noted that the team was comfortable making this pick due to its confidence in the training and medical staff. Moreover, it was a thought process that the team had since the Scouting Combine.
“This was a very well-vetted, thoughtful process that we had talked about at length for weeks and even months before,” Spytek said. “We were obviously, since the Combine, aware of the medical data and reports on every player.
“With where we’re at in the organization and the belief that we have in our process downstairs to care for our players and give them the best, get them on the football field, keep them healthy, and make sure that the longevity of their careers is important, too, because that’s important to the organization and the players.
“They should feel cared for and taken care of. We were comfortable at that point bringing Jermod McCoy in.”
Raiders Remaining Cautious With Jermod McCoy
Nonetheless, Spytek didn’t go so far as to say whether the player would see the field in the upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“We’re thrilled to get Jermod,” Spytek added. “He’s a highly talented kid, but he’s also a really good kid and a thoughtful worker. We’re excited to see him here April 30… We’re not going to disclose anything right now, but we’re optimistic about the player, the person and our plan with him; we’re excited to get him out on the grass sometime very soon.”
Las Vegas Could Have the Steal of the 2026 Draft
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.”
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