If there’s one thing we know about the NFL Draft it’s we don’t know what teams are really thinking. But I’ve got to say it seems like many in the draft community is often getting the Dallas Cowboys’ No. 12 overall pick all wrong.

That’s because very often, the Cowboys are being linked to Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.

That includes ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest first-round mock draft. In it, he points out McCoy “doesn’t come without questions; he tore an ACL in January 2025, sat out the season and then didn’t work out at the combine.”

But Kiper Jr. knows what everyone else does: If healthy, McCoy can be a heck of a cornerback at the NFL level. Even still, I’m not buying it. Let’s dive into why.

3 reasons why I’m not buying McCoy to the Cowboys talk

1. Cowboys insider intel from the combine

Cowboys insider Nick Harris from Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported after the combine that he was ruling out McCoy as a first-round target “based on information this week.”

To be fair, the Cowboys themselves might still be undecided on McCoy. I bet his Pro Day set for March 31 will be a part of their decision-making.

But here’s the thing: Harris’ reporting fits what Jerry Jones said at the combine.

2. Jerry Jones’ own comments

“We can’t have any redshirts,” Jones said of the Cowboys’ rookie class last month. “We can’t afford to have redshirts here. [. . .] A player that you’re really putting stock in at a certain time that’s recovering from college injury relatively to the draft, you’ll see less of that this season.”

Jones doesn’t always stick to his word. But it sure sounds like the front office knows it can’t afford patience after one of the worst defensive seasons in franchise history.

Though McCoy is expected to be ready for the season, his decision to not run at the NFL Scouting Combine was concerning. I’m not betting on the Cowboys taking on the risk.

3. Cowboys’ draft history

Last but not least, I will say the Cowboys’ tendency to pick players with an injury history—or other risks—is being a little overrated here.

That’s because while they tend to bet on players such as Jaylon Smith and Shavon Revel Jr., they usually leave those gambles for Day 2 of the draft. The last health gamble they’ve made in the first round was picking Leighton Vander Esch in 2018, but even that was more about long-term health rather than immediate availability.

With the importance of nailing their two first-round picks this year, I don’t see the Cowboys rolling the dice on McCoy.

Obviously, how the board falls when the Cowboys are on the clock will play a major role on who they pick. But as of now, I’m selling on the idea of McCoy rocking the Star in September.

He has the makings of a great CB, and I’m sure he will be picked in Day 1. But the Cowboys need more certainty.

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