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Undrafted Jermod McCoy Faces Career-Ending Knee Complications

4/25/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

McCoy Undrafted

Jermod McCoy is undrafted and available as teams enter four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He missed 2025 season after tearing his ACL and now has a bone-plug issue in same knee.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said he would have been a Top 10-15 pick if healthy, with Jordan Reid projecting him at No. 15 to Tampa Bay.
NFL reporter Charles Robinson warned a follow-up surgery could end his career.

Summary

McCoy Drafted

McCoy fell to the fourth round after a knee red flag raised health concerns.
He posted a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical and 10-ft-7-in broad jump at his pro day.
Despite skipping the NFL Scouting Combine, his pro-day metrics attracted NFL interest.
He became the 12th cornerback selected after Tennessee’s early picks Colton Hood at No. 37 (Giants) and Chris Brazzell II at No. 97 (Panthers).

Summary

**McCoy Cost-Saving**

Drafting McCoy in the third round would limit his rookie guarantees to the signing bonus only.
Picks after No. 65 introduce split salaries, raising teams’ financial risk.
ESPN analyst Dan Graziano said a later-round pick reduces monetary exposure if another knee surgery is required.
Salary-cap-tight clubs such as the Raiders and Vikings can add a top-tier corner at modest cost under the rookie wage scale.

History

Historical Context

In the 1995 NFL draft the Cincinnati Bengals used the overall pick to select Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter, who signed a contract with a $7.125 million signing bonus. Carter’s knee ligament tear caused him to miss his season, a scenario repeated in 2026 when cornerback Jermod McCoy fell to the fourth round after an ACL and bone-plug injury, leading Raiders and Vikings to favor deals.

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McCoy Undrafted

Jermod McCoy is undrafted and available as teams enter four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He missed 2025 season after tearing his ACL and now has a bone-plug issue in same knee.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said he would have been a Top 10-15 pick if healthy, with Jordan Reid projecting him at No. 15 to Tampa Bay.
NFL reporter Charles Robinson warned a follow-up surgery could end his career.

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