Latest intel adds another layer of intrigue to Dallas Cowboys’ potential first-round plans ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys say they don’t want to draft redshirt rookies in 2026. But CB Jermod McCoy isn’t considered that around the NFL, even less so after a successful Pro Day.
Not that long ago, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy felt like a big no-no for the Dallas Cowboys.
Their top first-round pick, No. 12 overall, is one they need to get right to turn around one of the worst defenses in franchise history. Using it on a player who last played in January of 2025 (and skipped the combine) seemed like a risk to big to take.
But after McCoy ran a 4.38 40-yard dash in the Tennessee Pro Day, could Dallas take a swing? The latest draft intel suggests so.
Did Jermod McCoy’s Pro Day boost his draft stock?
It’s difficult to know how much stock to put on McCoy’s Pro Day. His testing numbers were impressive, but is it enough to answer questions about the “ring rust” after so long without playing football?
It seems like the NFL thinks so. In a recent ESPN article, insider Matt Miller revealed McCoy’s stock is on the rise.
“The feedback I received from teams was that McCoy is back in the running for CB1,” Miller wrote. “There were some questions even from the morning of the workout about what drills he would participate in. But he did everything, including positional drills.”
Working in positional drills matters because NFL teams saw McCoy change direction, which is often one of the biggest questions after a torn ACL. His Pro Day went so well that the Cowboys could be his floor when April comes around.
“While (LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane’s) elite final season might keep him in the top spot, both players feel like top-12 locks,” Miller added.
Cowboys don’t want redshirt rookies but…
Earlier in the year, Cowboys owner and general manager said the team couldn’t afford to draft a redshirt rookie. The thing with McCoy is that label doesn’t befit him. Redshirt rookies don’t run the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds.
With the former Tennessee Vol, the question isn’t so much if he’ll be ready for the season but rather how well will he play over a year since he last took the field?
The film will make it very tough to pass on McCoy if he’s there at No. 12 overall.
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