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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Jermod McCoy of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

A lot of fans were confused seeing Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy still available after Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Widely considered as the No. 2 CB prospect behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane (who was drafted No. 6 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs), McCoy was falling down teams’ draft boards due to concerns over his knee.

“All my doctors that did my surgery told me [that] I’m good,” McCoy said. “But if there’s something that [the Raiders] want me to do for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that because I feel like they have my best interest.”

Despite this, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to move up to the top of the fourth round, sending the 102nd pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for pick 101, where the team drafted McCoy.

“We felt good about where we took him,” Raiders vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt said. “It was an opportunity to get value. [McCoy] is 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 his player.”

And while there are concerns about McCoy’s health, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller sees the draft decision as a massive win for Las Vegas.

Raiders Receive Massive Statement on Controversial Draft Decision

When ranking the 100 best picks, steals, and fits, Miller pinned the Raiders’ draft selection of Jermod McCoy as the second-best decision in the entire draft.

“There’s always a really good player who slips due to injury. Ranked as my No. 10 overall prospect, McCoy fell to No. 101 based on concerns that a surgical procedure he had done following a January 2025 ACL tear might need to be redone. But McCoy was cleared to work out at Tennessee’s pro day and excelled with a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds. Las Vegas aggressively attacked its secondary needs, but getting McCoy here could be the weekend’s biggest steal if he’s healthy. It was a smart bet to make and show that general manager John Spytek is correctly thinking about risk, value and potential.”

It’s crazy to think the Raiders were able to draft McCoy in the fourth round, and if healthy (which running a 4.38 40-yard dash should prove that he is) could be in contention for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Jermod McCoy Willing to Do Whatever is Necessary

This won’t be another Christian Wilkins incident, either, where he wasn’t willing to get another surgery during rehab.

Jermod McCoy is willing to do whatever the Raiders want for his knee, which could include another surgery.

“I feel like I’m good, but I mean, but if there’s something that they’re wanting me to do for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that,” McCoy said. “I’m going to listen to the team, because I feel like they have my best interest for me. So, honestly, just whatever the team’s plan for me is, I’m going to do that.”

Whatever the case may be, McCoy is coming to Las Vegas with a chip on his shoulder and is willing to do whatever it takes to prove to the other 31 teams that passing up on drafting him was a mistake.