Dolphins Face Crucial Draft Decision with No. 11 Pick - Is Jermod McCoy Worth the Risk?
It’s almost draft season in South Florida, and all eyes are on Jon-Eric Sullivan as he prepares for his first major move as general manager of the Miami Dolphins. With the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Sullivan has a golden opportunity to set the tone for a new era - one that Dolphins fans hope finally breaks the cycle of mediocrity that’s defined much of the franchise’s 21st-century story.
Miami enters the offseason with a handful of pressing needs and limited financial flexibility, meaning the draft will be the primary tool for reshaping the roster. Fortunately, the Dolphins hold five selections in the top 100 - enough ammunition to build a strong foundation, even in a draft class that’s not considered especially deep.
The key? Hitting on that first pick.
Jermod McCoy to Miami? The Mock Draft Buzz
In a recent mock draft from Dane Brugler, Miami is projected to select Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 11. McCoy is widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs in this class - CB1 on several boards - and would be the first corner off the board in Brugler’s scenario.
On paper, this seems like a logical fit. Cornerback has been a persistent issue for the Dolphins, and last season's injury-plagued secondary only underscored the need for reinforcements.
Miami entered training camp thin at the position and never truly recovered. If you're looking to shore up the back end of the defense, McCoy is a name that jumps off the page.
But there’s a wrinkle - and it’s a big one.
The ACL Question
McCoy suffered a torn ACL in January 2025 and missed the entire 2025 college season. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any prospect, let alone one projected to go in the top half of the first round.
Prior to the injury, McCoy was trending toward top-10 - maybe even top-five - status. His 2024 campaign at Tennessee, after transferring from Oregon State, was nothing short of electric: 13 starts, 44 tackles, four interceptions (second-most in the SEC), and second-team All-American honors.
He was also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.
The talent is undeniable. But the injury history raises fair questions - especially for a team like Miami that’s trying to rebuild with players who can contribute immediately.
By the time training camp rolls around, McCoy will be more than 18 months removed from surgery. That’s encouraging, but it doesn’t guarantee he’ll be ready to hit the ground running in OTAs or early camp.
Sullivan’s First Impression Matters
This isn’t just any draft pick - it’s the first one of the Jon-Eric Sullivan era. And first impressions matter, particularly to a fan base that’s grown weary of draft-day gambles that never quite paid off.
Sullivan doesn’t need to hit a home run with his first pick, but he does need to make solid contact. That means selecting a player who can step in, stay on the field, and help right away.
McCoy might be that guy. He might not. That’s the gamble.
The Dolphins have been down this road before - targeting high-upside players with injury concerns or inconsistent college production. Sometimes it worked.
More often, it didn’t. That’s part of what led to the regime change in the front office.
Sullivan will want to avoid even the appearance of repeating those patterns.
Other Options on the Board
If Miami decides to look elsewhere, Brugler’s mock offers several intriguing alternatives in the picks immediately following McCoy. LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (No. 13), Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk (No. 15), and USC wide receiver Makai Lemon (No. 16) all present compelling cases.
Lemon, in particular, is a name to watch. Projected to land with the Jets in this mock (via the Colts' pick), he has the tools to become one of the top receivers in the class. If Miami passes on him and he blossoms in New York, that could sting for years - especially if the Dolphins are still searching for consistent playmakers on offense.
The Bottom Line
Jermod McCoy is an elite talent. There’s no question about that.
If he returns to form, he could anchor Miami’s secondary for years. But the Dolphins are in a delicate spot - one where every draft pick, especially the first-rounder, has to count.
Sullivan’s challenge is clear: weigh the upside of a potentially elite cornerback against the risk of a player still working his way back from a major injury. It’s a classic draft dilemma - ceiling vs. certainty.
And in a year where Miami is looking to turn the page, the answer to that question could define the early legacy of its new GM.