Full Breakdown
Raiders Trade Up in Fourth Round for Cornerback Jermod McCoy and Running Back Mike Washington Jr.
4/25/2026, 10:50:06 PM
Core Draft Moves
On April 25, 2026, the Las Vegas Raiders made two separate trade-ups on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. The team sent a 2027 seventh-round pick to Buffalo to move from the 102nd to the 101st overall slot, selecting Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Later, the Raiders traded their 134th and 208th picks to Atlanta for the 122nd overall spot, where they chose Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr.
Player Profiles & Statistics
Jermod McCoy – 6-foot-1, 188 lb. At Tennessee’s pro day he ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, posted a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot-7-inch broad jump. In 2024 he recorded 44 tackles, nine pass break-ups and four interceptions, allowing only one touchdown in 640 coverage snaps and earning an 89.6 PFF coverage grade (ninth among FBS cornerbacks). At Oregon State in 2023 he logged 31 tackles, seven pass break-ups and two interceptions.
Mike Washington Jr. – 6-foot-1, 223 lb. At the 2026 combine he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, posted a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-8-inch broad jump. In 2025 he rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries (6.4 yd/carry), added 28 receptions for 226 yards and a receiving TD, and accumulated 2,914 career rushing yards with 26 total touchdowns. He has been credited with ten fumbles over five collegiate seasons.
Raiders’ Strategic Rationale
Analysts graded McCoy an A+ and noted his elite athletic profile placed him among the ten best prospects, making the fourth-round slot a comfortable risk point. Washington’s blend of speed and proven production was viewed as a complementary piece to first-round back Ashton Jeanty, offering depth and potential rotational value.
Medical Concerns & Criticism
McCoy’s slide stemmed from a torn ACL suffered in January 2025 and a subsequent bone-plug repair addressing a degenerative cartilage defect. Medical reports flagged a possible need for additional surgery, with some analysts warning that a failed procedure could end his career. Washington’s ten fumbles across five seasons raised questions about ball security at the professional level.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the severity of McCoy’s knee issue. Charles Robinson emphasized the bone plug’s long-term risk, while Tom Pelissero clarified that the ACL reconstruction itself was sound and the concern lay solely with the cartilage repair. No definitive prognosis was provided, leaving the Raiders’ medical staff’s final assessment undisclosed. Washington’s fumble data lack context regarding situational factors, creating uncertainty about how the issue may translate to the NFL.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He has a bone plug. It was basically a piece of bone and cartilage used to repair a degenerative cartilage issue in that same knee. Now there is a thought process among doctors that this is now going to have to be replaced – maybe not immediately but at some point in the future,” — Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports analyst
- “McCoy has the speed, movement and ball skills to start Day 1,” — Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network analyst
- “Washington made stops at three different colleges and showed improvement with each move to a new school.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com analyst
What’s Next
The Raiders will evaluate McCoy’s knee during rookie minicamp and determine his readiness for preseason competition. Washington is expected to compete for a backup role behind Jeanty and to earn trust by reducing turnover risk. Both players will enter training camp with the expectation that their athletic upside can translate into immediate contributions if health and execution align with the organization’s projections.
