Las Vegas Raiders’ plan for rookie CB Jermod McCoy may be going even better than it looks from the outside
The Las Vegas Raiders took a flier on Jermod McCoy, but their plan seems to be working brilliantly.
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 acquire Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, a first-round talent and maybe the best cornerback in the entire class.
McCoy had a knee issue that has been described as one that could keep him from ever signing a second NFL contract. 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. Now, it’s obvious the Raiders have a plan, and one insider thinks it’s going very, very smoothly.
According to Raiders beat writer and insider Vinny Bonsignore of the California Post, Raiders CB Jermod McCoy is on track to participate fully in training camp. He’s currently on a management program, which is why he hasn’t been fully on the field during OTAs. He’s been doing stretches and some other light work, but that’s really it. But there are no new issues with the knee, per Bonsignore’s sources.
If this works, John Spytek looks like an absolute genius. McCoy has star potential, and that’s exactly what they need, especially in the secondary.
Jermod McCoy could easily be the Raiders’ best CB by 2027
McCoy stands just under 6’1” and weighs 190 pounds, with 31-inch arms and outstanding speed. He turned heads at his recent Tennessee Pro Day, looking ready to contribute immediately and running a blazing 4.37 in the 40-yard dash.
When healthy, McCoy shows length, explosiveness, and smooth athleticism, pairing impressive ball skills with physicality at the catch point. He projects well in both press and off-coverage as he refines his technique. However, after missing all of 2025, he’s still young and relatively inexperienced, so drafting him is a bold move that comes with some risk. But, he can be an elite player, and definitely could be a centerpiece for this defense moving forward, if all goes well, of course.