Jermod McCoy — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Several names make sense in this spot to improve the Dolphins, but adding a big, talented cornerback might be the priority. McCoy probably wouldn't be available for Miami if he hadn't missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL.

Players who sit out a season due to a torn ACL don't typically get picked this high, but McCoy is worthy of being an exception. He produced elite tape in 2024 and would have been my top-ranked cornerback in the 2025 draft had he been eligible. McCoy's injury happened last January during training, so he should be ready this spring. The 6-foot, 193-pound press corner did enough in his four-interception 2024 campaign to convince teams he's the real deal.

Several positions could be in play for the Dolphins at No. 11, including quarterback. But given the QB draft landscape, Miami's new brass of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley could tempt Malik Willis to follow them from Green Bay instead. This pick could then be used to select a cornerback who is ideal for Hafley's press scheme.

McCoy is a physical corner who can play man on an island and is also comfortable in zone looks. He's in phase on vertical routes, and in run support he comes downhill looking to thump someone. He's coming off a January ACL injury, and while he's yet to get back on the field, he could end up being the best CB in this class.

McCoy didn't play this past season while recovering from an ACL tear in January, but no cornerback's 2025 tape was as good as his 2024 tape as a shutdown man-coverage press cornerback. If his knee checks out medically, he'll be in range to be the top cornerback off the board.

McCoy was considered one of the top cover cornerbacks entering the season after posting four interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2024. But he wound up missing the year while recovering from a torn ACL suffered last January, though he's expected to be fine for his rookie season.

The Dolphins allowed quarterbacks to complete an incredible 72 percent of pass attempts last season, so McCoy would help right away.

McCoy is coming off an ACL injury that cost him the 2025 season, making this a risky pick. However, the Tennessee standout is a natural CB1 whose polished game enables him to play in a zone-based scheme that prioritizes ball skills and awareness. The Rams use the first of their two first-round choices to boost their 19th-ranked pass defense.

Cincinnati needs help all over the field on defense. McCoy missed the 2025 season due to an ACL injury, but his 2024 tape was outstanding. He's squarely in the mix to be the top CB in the draft.