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Where Way-Too-Early 2026 NFL mock drafts project Tennessee's Jermod McCoy

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/05/25•

GrantRamey

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee Football | Tennessee Athletics
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee Football | Tennessee Athletics

Jermod McCoy recently showed up at No. 8 on the first Pro Football Focus Big Board for the 2026 NFL Draft. All the way-too-early mock drafts since then have agreed on Tennessee’s standout corner being a first-round pick next April. 

McCoy, who is coming back from an ACL tear in January, had a breakout season in his first year at Tennessee, finishing 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. 

“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.”

James Pearce on April 24 became Tennessee Football’s 48th all-time first-round pick. The Athletic, ESPN, Todd McShay, USA Today and CBS all believe that McCoy will be the 49th first-rounder for the Vols. 

The Athletic

Projection: No. 11 overall, Los Angeles Rams

Dane Brugler: “After playing his freshman season at Oregon State, McCoy enjoyed a breakout sophomore season after transferring to the Volunteers (13 passes defended and four interceptions). His ball instincts consistently stood out when I studied Tennessee’s defense last season.”

USA Today

Projection: No. 12, Los Angeles Rams

Nick Brinkerhoff: “They use this pick to upgrade the secondary, taking a flier on McCoy – a player that (Microsoft) Copilot believes can be a lockdown presence for Los Angeles.”

Todd McShay

Projection: No. 13, Miami Dolphins

McCoy was the first corner off the board in McShay’s mock draft and the second defensive back, behind Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 2 overall to the New Orleans Saints. 

ESPN

Projection: No. 14, Miami Dolphins

Matt Miller: McCoy is “an active, physical corner. He exhibits great awareness and has a quick read on routes run in his coverage. He had four interceptions and eight pass breakups last season, so the ball skills are there, too. McCoy could be CB1 next year if his game continues to ascend.”

CBS Sports

Projection: No. 20, Los Angeles Chargers

Josh Edwards: “McCoy had four interceptions last season after transferring in from Oregon State. He has good size and the ball production to match. Jim Harbaugh nabs a ball hawk for the secondary in the first round.” 

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