2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jermod McCoy

Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

6’0″ – 193 lbs.

Background

Three- or four-star recruit who originally attended Oregon State, where he started four games as a freshman in 2023, rotating in throughout the year and finishing with 31 tackles, seven breakups, and two interceptions. Transferred to Tennessee for the 2024 season, stepping into a full-time starting role and ending up with 44 tackles, nine breakups, and four interceptions. Missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL sustained last January.

Positives

Immediately established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC after transferring to the Volunteers in 2024, with a significantly improved sophomore campaign in which he allowed just two touchdowns. Looks the part of a boundary corner, with solid size and length. Often lines up in press-man coverage (sometimes bailing from there), with some off-coverage mixed in. Brings a physical, confident temperament that should appeal to pro teams. Matches releases well at the line of scrimmage from press, and does a good job of using his hands. Knows how to use the sideline to squeeze opponents when playing on the boundary against outside releases, and has plenty of speed to carry most receivers down the sidelines. Strong route recognition, reflexes, and effective use of his hands to feel routes allow him to provide sticky coverage through the stem, minimizing drift. Processes route combinations well from zone. Nice click and close from off-coverage, with an impressive burst to the ball. Shows impressive timing and technique to go for the breakup. Has impressive length and flexibility to make plays on the ball, and shows excellent ball skills, with six interceptions over the two seasons he was on the field; anticipates, locates, and aggressively high-points throws. Can deliver some solid hits to jar throws loose and set the tone defensively. Does a nice job of using his length to lock out blocks and locate the football in the run/screen games.

Negatives

Frame is a bit on the thin side. Cleaned up his tackling in 2024, but had some issues with misses in 2023, and can lapse into throwing a shoulder at times rather than wrapping up opposing receivers. Occasionally goes for the outside shoulder jam against jab steps when playing press-man at the line, which can force him to open his hips early. Was flagged eight times in 2024. Torn ACL will require further medical investigation and could affect his stock.

Summary

This is easily one of the top prospects in the class on tape, with an excellent combination of size, length, physicality, athleticism, technique, awareness, and ball skills which give him the ceiling of a high-end number-one cornerback in the league. There are minor aspects of his game that could be nitpicked, primarily occasional lapses in tackling technique and an increased number of flags in 2024, but what his stock will really come down to is his pre-draft medical evaluation. If everything checks out with his knee, looks like a good bet to come off the board within the top ten picks.

Projection: Round 1