The Las Vegas Raiders selected cornerback Jermod McCoy in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday, a move that could yield a top-10 talent if his surgically-repaired right knee holds up.
McCoy, who tore his ACL during an offseason workout in January 2025, has not played a competitive game since. He impressed at Tennessee’s pro day with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical leap, but medical exams revealed a potential issue with a bone plug inserted during his ACL reconstruction surgery. The concern is that a second surgery might be needed, which could affect his longevity.
Despite the red flags, the Raiders traded a 2027 seventh-round pick to Buffalo to move up one spot and secure McCoy at the start of Day 3.
“We felt good about it where we took him,” said vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt. “It was an opportunity to get value. This is probably, arguably, the best corner in the draft, and we feel like we have great people and a great process to make sure we get the best out of him.”
McCoy, 20, had 13 passes defensed and four interceptions in his 2024 season with the Volunteers. He is known for sticky coverage, closing ability, and willingness to contribute in the run game. He also has punt return skills.
“Right now we’re just excited about celebrating this kid and getting him in the building,” Hunt said. “He’s 20 years old. He’s twitchy. He’s fast. He’s a cover guy with some punt return skills. We’re really excited to see what he does. The future is bright with this guy.”
McCoy said he feels good and is willing to follow whatever plan the team sets for his knee. “All my doctors that did my surgery, they tell me I’m good,” he said. “I feel like I’m good. But if there’s something that they’re wanting me to do for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that. I’m going to listen to the team, because I feel like they have my best interest (in mind).”
The Raiders had a virtual meeting with McCoy on Wednesday, 24 hours before the draft began. He started to sense they could be his landing spot, but he remained hopeful he would be drafted earlier. Watching other players get selected while he waited only added motivation.
“This isn’t something you could take for granted,” McCoy said. “This is everyone’s dream. So, it’s not something you could just say, ‘I didn’t get drafted where I wanted, so I’m not going to watch the draft anymore.’ It is still a blessing to get drafted. So I was in there watching it, got the call, super excited, ready to get to work.”
McCoy will reunite with college teammate Dont’e Thornton Jr., who texted him immediately after the pick. He also has familiarity with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, whom he intercepted when both were at Oregon State and Cal, respectively. “It was my first college pick, so probably one of the top moments in my life,” McCoy said. “We talked after that game too, just chopped it up a little bit. It’s good to know we are going to be on the same team, too. We got the best quarterback in college football and now going to be the best in the league.”
McCoy is eager to prove the teams that passed on him wrong. “I feel like all of it’s just motivation just fueling me,” he said. “I feel I’ve just been through a lot and I’ve got a story that I’m still trying to tell.”
