Raiders are already getting a great return on investment on a tricky situation at rookie minicamp

The Las Vegas Raiders held a rookie minicamp this weekend, and all of their rookies attended, including Jermod McCoy, who participated a bit.

Justin Churchill College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak rookie minicamp 2026
Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak at press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There was a big risk taken in the beginning of the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. To kick things off, the Las Vegas Raiders traded up to go and get Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, a first-round talent. The reward is huge, the risk is somewhat big.

McCoy had a knee issue that has been described as one that could keep him from ever seeing a second contract in the NFL. Of course, that’s not definitive, just what someone out there just anticipates. The Raiders felt confident in taking the risk because the reward could be so big. McCoy was once considered the best CB in this class, and a top-ten player, yet Vegas got him in the fourth round. His being at the rookie minicamp, dressed out in uniform, was already a great sign.

Jermod McCoy’s stats in 2024 at Tennessee

(Didn’t play in 2025)

  • 9 Pass Deflections (7 year before)
  • 44 tackles (.5 TFL)
  • 4 Interceptions (2 year before at Oregon State)

Raiders already have a great return on investment already for Jermod McCoy, but there’s still a way to go

According to Sam Warren of The Athletic, Jermod McCoy was at practice in his No. 28 uniform but, during team periods, was working on the side with trainers. Regardless, he is at practice dressed out. That alone is already a great return on investment for what we know about the situation, and there isn’t a ton to know at the moment.

There’s still a chance that McCoy doesn’t play in 2026. That’s not a report, and there’s no rumor on that. However, it’s something we can’t rule out given how little is known about this injury. The fact that he is out there is good. This is what everyone was watching for, even more than the latest Fernando Mendoza video.

If McCoy wasn’t at practice and was just at the facility working with trainers inside, I think fans and media would be making a bit of a deal about it. His being at practice was huge to start the rookie minicamp, but there is still some work to be done. If he were fine and good to go, he wouldn’t have been off on the side. Instead, he would have been doing everything the team was doing.