Jermod McCoy, a cornerback from Tennessee, has significantly dropped in the 2026 NFL Draft due to concerns over a potential second knee surgery. Initially projected as a top-15 pick, he was not selected in the first two rounds.
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Jermod McCoy plummets in 2026 NFL Draft, may need second surgery
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy has suffered the most significant drop of the 2026 NFL Draft because teams fear he may need a second surgery on his injured knee.
McCoy was projected as a top-15 pick, but he wasn't selected in the first two rounds.
On April 24, as the third round began, ESPN's Mel Kiper said McCoy could've gone in the top 10 selections if not for recent injury concerns. The 2024 All-American suffered a torn ACL during a training session in January 2025 and did not play for Tennessee in the 2025 season.
However, NFL reporters say the ACL is not why he's dropping.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that McCoy feels good and shows no issues in the surgically-repaired ACL. Instead, NFL team medical staffs are worried about a bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee. That could require a second surgery before McCoy ever plays a snap in the NFL.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapaport provided similar reports.
"(The drop) is a medical concern about Jermod McCoyās knee. Remember last year when Will Anderson had the concern of a degenerative knee injury, the meniscus. Similar situation here," Rapaport reported. "Obviously, McCoy did not play because of the ACL. That is not what this is about. The ACL is fine. He did drills at (Tennesseeās) pro day. This is about teams wondering if there are going to be long-term issues on his knee."
McCoy remains the best undrafted player available in the third round. His UT teammate, cornerback Colton Hood, was selected by the with the 37th pick.
Jermod McCoy dropped in the draft due to fears that he may need a second surgery on his injured knee.
Before his injury, Jermod McCoy was projected to be a top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jermod McCoy suffered a torn ACL during a training session in January 2025.
Jermod McCoy did not play for Tennessee in the 2025 season due to his knee injury.
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"(McCoy) clearly is a first-round talent but suffered a knee injury where he tore his ACL, underwent surgery. And obviously there are some teams that have some concerns about that knee right now," Schefter reported. "People think he can step in and impact a roster right away, but there are questions about his longevity in the league.
"For right now, we have a situation where he's still on the board, one of the elite talents in this draft in a spot that nobody thought he would be."
McCoy was an All-American in the 2024 season. But he suffered a torn ACL during a training session in January 2025 and did not play for the Vols in the 2025 season. His last game was Dec. 21, 2024 against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
At Tennesseeās pro day in March, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds, which would've tied for the second-fastest time among cornerbacks at the NFL scouting combine. It appeared to be a good sign, but there are obviously still concerns about his knee.
McCoy was projected as the first or second cornerback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. But several players at his position were picked ahead of him.
Here are cornerbacks drafted so far:
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter*@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.*
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jermod McCoy injury update in 2026 NFL Draft, may need bone plug surgery