Why Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy isn't getting drafted in 2026 NFL Draft surprise slide
TL;DR
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, initially projected as a first-round pick, remains undrafted after 75 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. His unexpected slide has drawn comparisons to Shedeur Sanders' fall in the previous draft.
Key points
- Jermod McCoy had a first-round grade
- He remains undrafted after 75 picks
- His slide is surprising but not unprecedented
Why Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy isn't getting drafted in 2026 NFL Draft surprise slide originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jermod McCoy had a first-round grade in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Tennessee cornerback was still on the board after 75 picks as the third round rolled on.
It's a shocking slide.
It's not quite as crazy as last year's Shedeur Sanders free fall, but it's as close as this draft is gonna get.
So what gives?
Why isn't Jermod McCoy getting drafted?
This is all, as best anyone can tell, about injury.
"(McCoy) clearly is a first-round talent but suffered a knee injury where he tore his ACL, underwent surgery. And obviously there are some teams that have some concerns about that knee right now," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported during the second roundย of the broadcast. "People think he can step in and impact a roster right away, but there are questions about his longevity in the league. For right now, we have a situation where he's still on the board, one of the elite talents in this draft in a spot that nobody thought he would be."
It's anyone's guess how long McCoy hangs.
He was an All-American in 2024, but he didn't play in 2025 at all.
It's a lot like Will Johnson's CB slide due to injury last year, but even he didn't last this long.
McCoy ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, but he's still waiting.
Q&A
Why is Jermod McCoy not getting drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Jermod McCoy is not getting drafted due to an unexpected slide despite having a first-round grade.
How does Jermod McCoy's draft slide compare to Shedeur Sanders' last year?
McCoy's slide is notable but not as extreme as Shedeur Sanders' fall in the previous draft.
What round is Jermod McCoy currently projected to be drafted in?
Jermod McCoy is still on the board after 75 picks, indicating he has not been selected in the first three rounds.