Andrew Buller-Russ
Every NFL team has a different draft board, with some prospects ranking higher than others. Usually, a prospect’s standing depends mostly on their film, measurables, or character. Though, there are some rare cases when an athlete’s injury history comes into play.
Most injuries aren’t serious enough to drastically impact a player’s future, though some linger worse than others. Sometimes an injury doesn’t just wipe out a player’s season, they can also impact the rest of their careers.
That could be the case with Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy, who is widely projected to be a first-round pick. LSU’s Mansoor Delane is considered the top cornerback prospect, but McCoy is often ranked right behind him, despite overcoming a torn ACL that wiped out his 2025 season.
While McCoy is expected to be healthy by Week 1, some NFL evaluators are concerned about his long-term health.
According to Essentially Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline, some teams have “red-flagged” McCoy for a possible “degenerative knee condition.”
“Over the past two days, multiple sources have told me that several teams have red-flagged the combine medicals of Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy, who did not play last season after sustaining a knee injury in January of 2025. The information received additional confirmation after others were asked. I’m told that red flags were raised after teams deemed McCoy’s knee to be a degenerative condition. But, of course, medical opinions differ team by team since there is no central body to govern a physical.”
Tony Pauline on Jermod McCoy
That could cause McCoy’s stock to slip to the point where some teams have removed him from their draft board altogether. Yet, other teams may not agree with the assessment, which is why McCoy could very well still be a first-round pick. All it takes is one team to medically clear him and believe McCoy has a bright future in the NFL.
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