Where Jermod McCoy in projected in ESPN's latest 2026 NFL mock draft
Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy is projected to be the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to the latest ESPN mock draft released this week. ESPN’s Matt Miller projected the Miami Dolphins to pick McCoy midway through the first round.
“There are some questions about McCoy’s status to start the season after he tore an ACL in January during offseason training,” Miller wrote in the ESPN mock draft, “but there’s no question about his tape. The 6-foot, 193-pound corner has six career interceptions and emerged as a true No. 1 CB last season.
“He has the length, height and speed to run with NFL-caliber wideouts and the ball skills to flip the field. He’s my CB1 as long as he recovers and stays healthy. The Dolphins need a capable outside cornerback — especially after trading Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers on Monday.”
Jermod McCoy last season: 4 INTs, 9 PD, 44 tackles
McCoy finished his first season at Tennessee with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee.
Other way-too-early NFL mock drafts all seem to agree on McCoy as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. McCoy is projected at No. 11 overall pick according to The Athletic, No. 12 by USA Today, No. 13 according to Todd McShay and No. 20 according to CBS Sports.
Pro Football Focus ranked McCoy at No. 8 overall in its first Big Board for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The top prospect on the PFF Big Board was Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, ahead of Clemson edge rusher TJ Parker, Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods, Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
“The current favorite to be the top corner selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was a lockdown player for the Volunteers after transferring in from Oregon State,” PFF’s Max Chadwick and Trevor Sikkema wrote.
“His 89.6 PFF coverage grade in 2024 is second among returning Power Four corners, while his four interceptions were tied for second in that same group.”
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ESPN ranks Jermod McCoy No. 1 cornerback in NFL Draft
McCoy is the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Miller. McCoy is coming off a breakout debut season with the Vols, after transferring from Oregon State.
The ACL tear suffered in January is why ESPN described McCoy as the toughest player to rank at cornerback, while ranking the top five prospects at each position for next year’s NFL Draft.
Miller ranked McCoy ahead of Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Malik Muhammed (Texas), Chandler Rivers (Duke) and D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana). Reid has McCoy ranked No. 2, behind A.J. Harris (Penn State)
“The Oregon State transfer thrived in his first season with the Vols,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote, “intercepting four passes and looking like the CB1 of a strong 2026 corner class.
“But he suffered a torn ACL during a January training session, putting his status for the 2025 season in doubt. Can McCoy return to the field this season, and how would he perform if he does?”
