The Las Vegas Raiders may have pulled off the heist of the 2026 NFL Draft by landing former Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy in the fourth round. Widely considered a first-round talent, McCoy's slide was largely attributed to concerns about his knee after missing the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. But don't let the draft position fool you—this is a player whose game tape screams elite.

McCoy's 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. As a second-team All-American, he posted an 89.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking ninth among all FBS cornerbacks and third in the SEC. Those numbers came from allowing just a 50% completion rate (31 catches on 62 targets) for only 386 yards and two touchdowns. He also snagged four interceptions, broke up six passes, and held opposing quarterbacks to a paltry 53.6 passer rating. But the stats only tell part of the story.

What truly sets McCoy apart is how he moves on the field. His film shows a cornerback with rare fluidity and instincts, especially in press-man coverage. Take his matchup against Alabama freshman Ryan Williams, for example. With the ball on the far hashmark and Alabama in a three-by-one formation, Tennessee played Cover 1, leaving McCoy on an island with no safety help. From the snap, McCoy showed remarkable patience, refusing to open his hips too early as Williams gave a subtle inside fake before breaking toward the numbers. Then came the hand-fighting—McCoy used his inside hand to stay in phase, mirroring Williams step for step on the go route. By the time the ball arrived, McCoy was in perfect position to make a play.

For Raiders fans, this is the kind of lockdown coverage that turns fourth-round picks into defensive cornerstones. If McCoy's knee checks out, Las Vegas may have just found its No. 1 cornerback for years to come.