
NFL scouts are raising concerns about first-round draft prospect Jermod McCoy's long-term health due to a potential degenerative knee condition. Despite being projected as a top pick, his injury history may impact his draft stock.
Every NFL team has a different draft board, with some prospects ranking higher than others. Usually, a prospectâs standing depends mostly on their film, measurables, or character. Though, there are some rare cases when an athleteâs injury history comes into play.
Most injuries arenât serious enough to drastically impact a playerâs future, though some linger worse than others. Sometimes an injury doesnât just wipe out a playerâs season, they can also impact the rest of their careers.
That could be the case with Tennesseeâs Jermod McCoy, who is widely projected to be a first-round pick. LSUâs Mansoor Delane is considered the top cornerback prospect, but McCoy is often ranked right behind him, despite overcoming a torn ACL that wiped out his 2025 season.
While McCoy is expected to be healthy by Week 1, some NFL evaluators are concerned about his long-term health.
According to Essentially Sportsâ NFL insider Tony Pauline, some teams have âred-flaggedâ McCoy for a possible âdegenerative knee condition.â
âOver the past two days, multiple sources have told me that several teams have red-flagged the combine medicals of Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy, who did not play last season after sustaining a knee injury in January of 2025. The information received additional confirmation after others were asked. Iâm told that red flags were raised after teams deemed McCoyâs knee to be a degenerative condition. But, of course, medical opinions differ team by team since there is no central body to govern a physical.â
Tony Pauline on Jermod McCoy
That could cause McCoyâs stock to slip to the point where some teams have removed him from their draft board altogether. Yet, other teams may not agree with the assessment, which is why McCoy could very well still be a first-round pick. All it takes is one team to medically clear him and believe McCoy has a bright future in the NFL.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Trades Take Over First Round of NFL Draft
Related Headlines
Some NFL scouts are worried that Jermod McCoy may have a degenerative knee condition that could affect his long-term career.
McCoy's previous torn ACL and the recent concerns about his knee health have led some teams to red-flag him, potentially affecting his draft position.
Multiple NFL teams are assessing Jermod McCoy's medical condition, with some specifically flagging him for concerns about his knee.


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