The Raiders are undergoing significant changes after a poor season, with opportunities for new players to earn starting positions. Among their six day three draft picks, cornerback Jermod McCoy is highlighted as a strong candidate to start in 2026.
This team this year is looking a considerable amount of turnover. Such is to be expected when you finish as literally the worst team in the NFL. That also means players will come in with a real shot to earn a starting job, as the new staff is looking for upgrades. Might the Raiders have found a starter among their picks on day three of the draft?
Opportunities would seem to be a bit more obvious the earlier a player was selected in the draft. But day three it's harder to tell. Many of them will have to prove they are worthy of a bigger opportunity than their draft position suggests.
Overall the Raiders selected six players on day three of the draft. One stands out among them in terms of likelihood of starting.
McCoy is a classic case of a supremely talented player who fell due to injury concerns. He suffered an ACL injury that cost him all of last season. Where the concern lies firstly is the possibility he could need another surgery, this time due to a cartilage defect in his knee. And if that surgery happens is not successful his career could be over.
That's how the Consensus 14th overall prospect in this draft was still on the board to begin day three. The Raiders had the second pick of the day (102), but wanted to ensure they got McCoy, so they traded up one pick to get him. That's a worthy bet on a talent like McCoy.
Where we are now is the uncertainty that he would need the surgery at all. And, if he does, just how long it would be until that happens. All the Raiders can do at this point is move ahead with the hope that he won't need it. At least not imminently.
What's interesting here, is the injury situation also makes McCoy the most likely Raiders draft pick to not play at all this season. Should it be deemed that he does need a surgery and it can't wait, he will miss his entire rookie season at very least. With the hopes that the surgery is successful and he can resume his career at that point.
If/until we know more on that front, McCoy comes in as one of the most talented cornerbacks on the roster.
The Raiders selected six players on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders finished as the worst team in the NFL, prompting a significant roster turnover.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is noted as the standout candidate among the day three draft picks to start in 2026.
Day three draft picks often have to prove their worthiness for starting positions, as opportunities are less obvious compared to earlier selections.
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Eric Stokes will start on one side, while the other cornerback spot is up for grabs. Last year's third round pick Darien Porter has the job currently, but it's far from settled.
Without the injury concerns, McCoy was a mid-first round caliber prospect. Had a team selected him there, he would have the inside track on a starting job right now. So, at worst, he should be viewed as a very solid contender for that starting left outside cornerback job. From there, you let the chips fall where they may in terms of the injury concerns.
This pick seemed like a great one because you honestly don't expect to see a player like him available this late. Who has his obvious physical talents and who is coming off his breakout season. At this point in the draft you usually get players who you hope is about to be special or who seems like they've hit their ceiling. Benson has all the making of a player who already showed his skills and physical gifts AND is about to play his best football.
You combine the kind of prospect Benson is with the overall lackluster group of receivers the Raiders currently have on the roster, and there would seem like a wide open door for Benson to play himself into some starts this season.
This one is purely about roster makeup. Who really knows what caliber talent Cleveland can be at the next level. But first of all, he joins a team that has a very clear opening for a nose tackle and that's what he is. Secondly, even nose tackles with limited skillsets will rotate in the lineup, and tend to play in early down and short yardage situations. Early downs such as the first play of every game. Even if he left after one play, that's a start, folks.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders Day 3 draft picks most likely to start in 2026