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Report: Early Cowboys target could need another surgery; may fall out of Round 1
TL;DR
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, once a top NFL draft prospect, may need another surgery on his knee, impacting his draft stock. The Cowboys are reportedly no longer interested in selecting him with their top-20 picks.
Key points
- Jermod McCoy was a top NFL draft prospect.
- He suffered an ACL tear in January 2025.
- Concerns about his knee may drop him out of the first round.
- The Cowboys are no longer interested in drafting him.
Jermod McCoyDallas Cowboys
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy was, not that long ago, a surefire top pick in this week's NFL draft and had been, early in the mock cycle, practically a lock for the Cowboys with the No. 12 overall selection.
An impressive feat, given that the 20-year-old hasn't played actual football since an injury suffered in January 2025. But while the absurdly athletic prospect has, by all accounts, recovered nicely from that ACL tear and impressed scouts at the Volunteer's pro day last month, the Cowboys are said to no longer be in pursuit of his talents... with either of their top-20 picks.
Now there's new information that could drop McCoy all the way out of the first round entirely.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero has reported that there is concern among some teams' medical staffs about McCoy's knee. And while the issue isn't the same one that kept him off the field in 2025, it would certainly impact his availability in 2026.
"It's not the ACL that he had reconstructed," Pelissero said this week. "My understanding is the ACL itself is fine. All the scans look good. The concern is about a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee. Some of the doctors that have seen his scans are concerned that he will need another surgery to replace that bone plug, which would be an extensive recovery."
That may be the part that finally strikes him from the Cowboys' board for good. The team has maintained this offseason that they are reluctant to roll the dice on "redshirt" prospects who won't be able to contribute immediately.
The team did bring McCoy in for an official visit, perhaps simply as due diligence and to get a closer look at the knee. But with durability concerns about current corner DaRon Bland and second-year corner Shavon Revel still coming back from a college knee injury of his own, the Cowboys likely can't afford to bring in another player at the same position who is less than 100%.
Q&A
What injury has Jermod McCoy suffered that affects his draft status?
Jermod McCoy suffered an ACL tear in January 2025 and now faces concerns about another knee issue that could impact his availability in 2026.
Why are the Cowboys no longer pursuing Jermod McCoy in the NFL draft?
The Cowboys are reportedly no longer interested in McCoy due to concerns about his knee health and its impact on his performance.
Could Jermod McCoy fall out of the first round in the NFL draft?
Yes, new reports suggest that concerns about McCoy's knee could drop him out of the first round entirely.
What was Jermod McCoy's draft projection before the injury concerns?
Jermod McCoy was previously considered a surefire top pick and a lock for the Cowboys with the No. 12 overall selection.
