In many ways, almost everything surrounding the NFL draft impacts almost every team. The Cleveland Browns, with two first-round picks, including the sixth overall, are especially involved in a lot of rumors. With needs all over the Browns roster, especially on offense, every prospect with a new update is something that the team is either already aware of or needs to know.
On Monday, medical updates on OT Francis Mauigoa and QB Garrett Nussmeier seemed likely to impact both players’ draft stock. Given the Browns needs, Mauigoa could be a target at the top of the draft while Nussmeier could be a Day 2 priority.
Cleveland GM Andrew Berry might have a surprise option near the top of the second round of the 2026 NFL draft as well: CB Jermod McCoy.
McCoy is the second-rated cornerback, and 15th overall, according to the Consensus Big Board, but has had a lingering knee concern throughout the draft process. McCoy did not play last season, recovering from a torn ACL. He did practice some with the Tennessee Volunteers, but did not see the field. A very athletic cornerback, a healthy and productive 2025 season would have likely seen McCoy drafted in the top five to ten picks.
Instead, an issue with a “bone plug” (starts at the 1:35 mark in the video below) could see him drop into the second round, similar to Will Johnson last year:
Live from Pittsburgh: The latest from me and @RapSheet on the medical situations surrounding LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, whose draft stock will be one of the biggest stories Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/h9ktvIQ1RA
We are not medical experts, but our Tom Moore found this definition of what a bone plug is:
A bone plug is defined as a segment of bone used in grafting procedures, particularly in the context of patellar tendon autografts, where it serves as an anchor point for fixation within the femoral or tibial tunnel during surgical repair.
The words “anchor point” seem to indicate that the plug plays a pretty important role.
For the Browns, cornerback is not currently a strong need, especially on the outside. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell have the two outside positions locked down. There have been whispers that Ward could be traded after the team didn’t fully restructure his contract earlier this offseason.
Berry, a college DB, has often drafted cornerbacks to Cleveland since his arrival in 2020. If the Browns medical staff is comfortable with McCoy’s knee, Berry could find a steal in 2026 as the Arizona Cardinals did with Johnson in 2025.
Are you risk-averse overall for the Browns given their needs, or do you see drafting a top talent like McCoy in the second round as a risk worth taking, given Cleveland’s overall need for talent?