Jermod McCoy — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

McCoy missed all of last season after suffering an ACL tear, so his draft slotting could come down to how teams assess his medical evaluation. If he's healthy, McCoy might be the best cover corner available.

As the picks were coming off the board, the Cowboys appeared to have a good chance at Sonny Styles or Mansoor Delane. There had been conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers about trading back to 21. With Styles and Delane going right before Dallas, trade talks heated up. But the Steelers' best offer was No. 21, No. 76 (third round) and No. 159 (fifth round). The Cowboys needed both of Pittsburgh's third-round picks or, at the very least, a third and a fourth. With that deal off the table, the Cowboys went with the best player available at a position of need. There are some concerns about McCoy missing all of last season with a torn ACL. But if everything checks out medically, McCoy should start immediately, likely alongside DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel. On paper, that would be an upgraded secondary for first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Jermod McCoy missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, which could ultimately lead to him going much later than this, but he was fantastic for Tennessee in 2024. He's a very good athlete who moves well and looks fluid in coverage. He's not a great tackler, which could also knock him down some boards, but I like the upside here.

The Cowboys must fix their pass rush and secondary. I believe there's a drop-off at cornerback after McCoy, so they address the position here.

The Rams have two first-round picks, and the tenor of their offseason would've changed dramatically if quarterback Matthew Stafford retired. But Stafford said he'll be back in 2026 during his MVP speech, making cornerback the primary need. Los Angeles learned the hard way last season that a strong front seven can't neutralize a capable passing game -- Jaxon Smith-Njigba combined for 354 receiving yards in three matchups against the Rams.

McCoy is a wild card. He is clearly talented enough to go in the top 10, but he missed the entire 2025 season after tearing an ACL last January. He's a long, confident and talented man-to-man cover corner who stood out in 2024 (four interceptions and seven passes defensed). If his medicals are fully on track, he'll go early.

McCoy is still in the running to be the first cornerback selected despite not playing this season due to a knee injury. The Dolphins could draft any position and it would make sense, but they could use a young cornerback with some pedigree. While quarterback and other position groups (like non-Jaylen Waddle wide receivers) are still question marks, McCoy would help new head coach Jeff Hafley have a reasonable answer at every position on his defense that will be tasked with carrying games during his maiden season in Miami.

I can't wait to see what first-year head coach Jeff Hafley does with the Dolphins. The former Packers defensive coordinator takes over a Dolphins pass defense that needs help, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 72% of their passes last season. McCoy might have been my top corner had he not torn his ACL last January. When he's on the field, he's outstanding. And what I know about Hafley is that when he was at Ohio State, he built his defense around having three great cover corners. So, I think he'd appreciate McCoy.