Raiders cornerbacks 2026: What if Jermod McCoy plays?

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 30: Jermod McCoy #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on before the AFLAC Kickoff Game against the Syracuse Orange on August 30, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At the Las Vegas Raiders’ recent rookie minicamp there was tangible evidence that there is, at least, a chance that cornerback Jermod McCoy will be ready to play during the 2026 season.

McCoy, a fourth-round pick from Tennessee, was limited in practice during the minicamp. McCoy who tumbled in the draft due to health concerns.

McCoy was considered a top-1o talent and could become a true No.1 cornerback for a team that needs the help. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL. But there are deeper issues. McCoy reportedly had a degenerative knee issue and he may need to have a surgery that could keep him out for a year. Reportedly, there are also risk that if the surgery doesn’t work he could never play.

Reportedly, there are concerns that he may have a short career at best. Also, reportedly, there were many teams that had McCoy off their draft board because of the injury concerns. ESPN reported this week that five of eight teams polled after Round 3 said he was off their draft boards due to the health worries. That tracks to be more than half the league.

McCoy told Raiders’ reporters the team will determine if he needs surgery. Raiders general manager John Spytek told Kay Adams this week the Raiders were confident in their plan for McCoy and ESPN reported they are optimistic he can play this season.

So, if McCoy does, indeed, play as a rookie, it would dramatically change and improve the Raiders; outlook at the position immediately.

In addition to McCoy, the Raiders have Eric Stokes, , , fifth-round draft pick Hezekiah Masses, , Greedy Vance and .