Final Mel Kiper mock draft pairs Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy with one of his teammates from Vols’ 2024 playoff run
The former Tennessee star will all but assuredly hear his name on the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the longtime NFL draft analyst sees a bit of a longer wait for McCoy than most.
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy’s place in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft is one that’s been widely debated by experts. Given he missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL, is unsurprising.
Most pundits see McCoy as a top 15 pick and one of the first two cornerbacks off the board, along with LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
However, one very notable draft pundit sees McCoy as perhaps hearing his name called later in the first round. Mel Kiper, Jr. put out his final mock draft ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he has McCoy going to the Cleveland Browns at overall pick No. 24.
Mel Kiper, Jr. projects Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy to Cleveland Browns at pick No. 24
“This could be a good draft day for Cleveland,” Kiper wrote. “Proctor and Boston would tick the two biggest need boxes, and finding McCoy — one of the top cornerback prospects in the class — at No. 24 would be the cherry on top. Of course, McCoy hasn’t played a football game since 2024; he tore his ACL in January 2025 and sat out all of last season. But the tape is really good, and his ball skills (six interceptions in two seasons at Oregon State and Tennessee) are tremendous. Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell and McCoy would form a solid trio at the position.”
Cleveland would be an interesting spot for McCoy to land. The Browns have been a mess for the last few years since making the playoffs in 2020, but their defensive roster has potential, anchored by All-Pro EDGE Myles Garrett and 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year LB Carson Schwesinger.
From the perspective of interest by Tennessee fans, it would add a third former Vol to the Browns’ roster, and a second from the 2024 team that reached the College Football Playoff. RB Dylan Sampson is on the Browns’ roster, as is WR Cedric Tillman.
The 2026 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh.