Reporter Shares Heartbreaking Reason Jermod McCoy Is Slipping In NFL Draft

From a talent standpoint, Jermod McCoy is considered a first-round prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the Tennessee cornerback, he remains on the board heading into Day 3.

McCoy earned All-SEC honors during his 2024 season with the Volunteers, racking up 44 tackles, nine pass breakups and four interceptions. He then missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL.

Despite being over a year removed from his ACL injury, McCoy is still dealing with medical complications.

Yahoo Sports senior reporter Charles Robinson revealed that McCoy may need to address a bone plug issue in the near future. That's why teams are letting him slide down the draft board this weekend.

"He has a bone plug, which is basically a piece of bone and cartilage that was used to repair a degenerative cartilage issue in that same knee. Now there is a thought process amongst doctors that this is now going to have to be replaced. Again, maybe not immediately but at some point in the future," Robinson said, via On3.

"I had one team tell me that if there is a severe slip, it's because there are some teams that are taking the position that if this next surgery, which would likely knock him out for the entirety of a year, if this surgery is not successful, it will effectively end his career."

As you'd imagine, NFL fans feel terrible for McCoy. He's gone from a potential Day 1 pick to wondering if he'll even hear his name called.

"This sucks for McCoy," one fan said.

"Watching Jermod dop like this is brutal," a second fan commented. "The guy has had terrible luck since that unforgettable season in orange and white."

"This makes a lot of sense and I'm just sick to my stomach for Jermod," another person wrote on X. "Such an unbelievably talented football player that got ridiculously unlucky."

Mel Kiper Jr. still has confidence in McCoy.

While the injury concerns can't be ignored, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. still has McCoy as the best player available in the NFL Draft.

"His frame and balance make it difficult for receivers to push him around at the top of routes, and he has the speed to turn and run downfield," McCoy's scouting report states. "He also does a good job of reading the quarterback, playing the ball rather than the man and breaking on throws in zone looks. His length and frame allow him to consistently compete for 50-50 balls. Despite coming off an injury, he has redeeming traits that flash on film."

Hopefully, an NFL team takes a chance on McCoy this weekend.

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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 8:55 AM.