Jermod McCoy wasn't supposed to be a fourth-round pick when the 2026 NFL Draft arrived, but concerns about his knee changed the picture quickly. McCoy had been viewed as a potential first-round selection after his time at Tennessee. Then came the medical concerns.
He tore his ACL in January 2025, and questions surrounding inflammation and arthritis in his knee reportedly caused teams to back away. Instead of hearing his name early in the draft, McCoy eventually fell to No. 101 overall, where the Raiders took a chance on him. Now, there's already a reason to wonder if Las Vegas got a bargain.
He's giving them a real reason to think so. Sports news: Eagles’ Ty Robinson is Making an Impression in the Preseason McCoy looked solid during the Raiders' 22-20 preseason win over the Houston Texans on Thursday. When he was asked to play man coverage, he appeared to move well and stay in position with opposing wide receivers.
That's obviously a good sign for a player whose draft stock took such a hit because of his medical history. The Raiders still have to figure out exactly how much McCoy will play once the regular season arrives. But if he continues to look healthy and makes the most of his time on the field, Las Vegas could have a very solid young player on its hands.
The fourth-round pick doesn't need to prove everything in the preseason. He just needs to keep showing that the concerns that caused him to slide down the draft board won't define his career. CBS Sports has dubbed him a winner for his solid performance in the preseason.
More sports: 49ers’ Jacob Cowing Dubbed a ‘Winner’ in Preseason So, there's a pretty big chance waiting for him if he can earn snaps with the Raiders' starting defense. McCoy was once considered a potential first-round talent. If he eventually plays like one, the Raiders could look back at the 101st pick and feel very good about how draft night unfolded.
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