Jermod McCoy stands out as one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, poised to be among the first corners off the board. This is despite not having played a down of football in over a year.
Back in January 2025, McCoy suffered a significant setback with a torn ACL during offseason workouts, sidelining him for the entire season with Tennessee. Despite his efforts to return, the timing just wasn't right.
According to Kalshi, McCoy's odds of being a top-10 pick are slim, as he doesn't feature among their top 10 potential draftees. Here’s a snapshot of those odds:
- Fernando Mendoza: 99%
- Arvell Reese: 96%
- Carnell Tate: 94%
- Caleb Downs: 88%
- Spencer Fano: 83%
- Rueben Bain Jr.: 78%
- Jeremiyah Love: 78%
- David Bailey: 69%
- Sonny Styles: 48%
- Caleb Banks: 4%
During the NFL Draft Combine on Thursday, McCoy opened up to reporters about his journey through the final months at Tennessee and his preparation for the upcoming draft. He revealed that although he was close to making a comeback, he ultimately decided he "didn’t feel ready yet."
McCoy, now medically cleared, has chosen to focus his efforts on his pro day. This decision seems wise, as Tennessee's postseason hopes were dashed before he could have made a difference on the field. With the Volunteers wrapping up the season at 8-5, it made little sense for McCoy to risk further injury, especially with a promising NFL future on the horizon.
Mock drafts currently project McCoy to be picked in the 11-20 range, with PFF suggesting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might snag him with the 15th overall pick. McCoy's cautious approach and undeniable talent keep him firmly in the spotlight as the draft approaches.