The Las Vegas Raiders are feeling optimistic about rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy's chances of taking the field this season, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Selected with the 101st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was widely regarded as a first-round talent but slid down the board due to medical concerns surrounding his surgically repaired knee.
McCoy missed the entire 2025 college football season after tearing his ACL while playing for Tennessee. Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson previously reported that the cornerback might need a second surgery on the knee, which could sideline him for another year and potentially threaten his career. However, the Raiders are taking a different view of the situation.
Fowler reported that after Day 2 of the draft, he checked with eight teams about McCoy, asking simply: "Is he off your board?" Five teams said yes, but three said no. The Raiders were among the teams willing to take the chance. "Las Vegas did extensive homework on the injury," Fowler wrote, "and, at least as of now, the team is optimistic about his chances to play in 2026 and avoid a redshirt season or immediate surgery."
Of course, the situation remains fluid. The Raiders will need to evaluate McCoy's progress during the offseason program before making any final decisions. But for now, general manager John Spytek's fourth-round gamble looks like it could pay off in a big way. Adding a player of McCoy's caliber—a top-10 to top-12 talent on many boards—would be a significant boost to the Silver and Black's secondary.
In related news, Fowler noted that one rival executive described last weekend's draft haul as "John Spytek's draft," a compliment suggesting the GM's vision took center stage this year compared to 2025, when head coach Pete Carroll's voice carried more weight. The Raiders also announced their undrafted free agent class, signing 17 rookies, including versatile ballhawk Treydan Stukes out of Arizona. Film breakdowns show Stukes brings a nose for the football that could make him a steal in the secondary.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on McCoy's recovery—and whether Spytek's bold bet becomes the defining move of the Raiders' 2026 draft class.