Why Jermod McCoy is falling in the NFL Draft

TL;DR

Jermod McCoy, a top cornerback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, is falling due to a degenerative knee issue that may require a redshirt season. Initially projected as a top ten pick, he is now expected to be drafted late in the first round or later.

Key points

Jermod McCoy is a top cornerback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
He has a degenerative cartilage issue affecting his draft position.
McCoy did not play in the 2025 season due to an ACL tear.
His draft projection has dropped from top ten to late first round.
He may need a redshirt rookie season to address his knee issue.

Jermod McCoyTennessee VolunteersNFL Draft 2026

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 Jermod McCoy, one of the best cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft is dropping like a rock. Unfortunately for McCoy, this became an obvious possibility earlier in the week as it was revealed that a knee issue might cost him another season play. McCoy is coming off of a 2025 season where he didn’t play a single snap, thanks to an ACL tear suffered during offseason training roughly 15 months ago. Still, his 2024 tape warranted his first-round status, making his situation a tough one for NFL teams to weigh out. The issue isn’t related to the ACL recovery, apparently. It’s a degenerative cartilage problem for McCoy, which we first heard about this week. NFL analyst Charles Robinson went deeper on the situation late on Friday night. McCoy was projected as high as the top ten, but the injury questions pushed him down to the late first in most mock drafts. It quickly became apparent that McCoy was going to go later than that, as teams continued to pass on him during the second and third round. McCoy will now hope to hear his name called on Saturday, though it seems like he might have to take a redshirt rookie season to address the cartilage issue.

Q&A

What injury is affecting Jermod McCoy's NFL Draft stock?

Jermod McCoy is facing a degenerative cartilage problem in his knee, which is impacting his draft status.

Why did Jermod McCoy not play in the 2025 season?

He did not play in the 2025 season due to an ACL tear suffered during offseason training about 15 months ago.

Where was Jermod McCoy projected to be drafted before his injury issues?

Before his injury issues, Jermod McCoy was projected to be a top ten pick in the NFL Draft.

Why Jermod McCoy is falling in the NFL Draft

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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