Jermod McCoy, a top cornerback prospect from Tennessee, was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round due to concerns over a degenerative knee condition. Despite his talent, injury issues caused him to slip in the draft.
Key points
Jermod McCoy was expected to be a first-round pick.
He was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round.
Concerns about a degenerative knee condition affected his draft position.
McCoy had surgery for a torn ACL in January 2025.
He is recognized for his coverage skills and agility.
Jermod McCoy experienced a tumble like few other prospects in recent memory over the weekend. The Tennessee product expected to hear his name called during Thursday's Round 1, having earned rave reviews for his coverage skills, agility and spatial awareness during his brief but memorable stint with the Volunteers.
It wasn't until Saturday that McCoy got a chance to bask in the spotlight. Ranked the No. 2 cornerback on most big boards, McCoy was selected in the fourth round (No. 101 overall) by the Raiders.
McCoy's gifts are evident to anyone who has watched him dance across a field. He is wiry, springy and attacks the ball with aggression.
And yet, he has remained a polarizing talent to many, unable to evade injury concerns after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee in Jan. 2025.
With that, here's what you need to know about McCoy's knee issue, a condition that scared front offices away throughout the 2026 NFL Draft.
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While ACL trouble kept McCoy off the field for the 2025, front offices concerns appear to revolve around a bone plug used to address a cartilage issue in McCoy's knee. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, some teams were weary of McCoy's operation, believing that he'll need to go under the knife again to have the bone plug replaced.
McCoy's camp has been insistent that his knee issues are a thing of the past. He is reportedly in good health as far as his ACL is concerned. However, there are worries that another surgery -- which would see McCoy miss the whole of his rookie season -- could effectively end his career, according to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson.
Degenerative knee conditions -- better known as arthritis -- refer to a chronic disease that can impede one's ability to perform athletic tasks. It's most common among elders, although osteoarthritis can affect people of all ages.
Patients with osteoarthritis often experience pain and swelling. The cartilage that lies between the femur, tibia and patella wears down, leading to increased friction between the bones, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Osteoarthritis is a long-term, progressive disease with no cure. Those living with osteoarthritis can seek out treatment options to remedy their symptoms. However, the condition does tend to get worse with time, often leading to disability.
Is Jermod McCoy still injured?
McCoy's recovery from a torn ACL has been going as planned, according to CBS Sports. However, his cartilage remains a cause of concern, with some front offices believing he'll have to undergo surgery to replace a bone plug used to repair the connective tissue that lies between the bones in his knee.
If McCoy were to go under the knife, he is expected to miss a season. Some scouts have reportedly expressed concern that another operation would effectively end McCoy's playing career.
Where would Jermod McCoy have been drafted if not for knee issues
McCoy was hailed as a top-20 pick during the pre-draft process. NFL Mock Draft Database, a catalogue that tracks various publication's mock drafts in the lead-up to the draft, was ranked as the No. 19 prospect in this year's big board.
In his final mock draft, TSN's Vinnie Iyer had the Cowboys taking McCoy with the No. 12 pick. Here's how he described McCoy in his big board:
McCoy is capable of moving around well to handle all types of receivers in coverage with his size and instincts. He also has a strong nose for making big plays on the ball.