The Carolina Panthers recently hosted a polarizing defensive player in the 2026 NFL Draft for a top-30 visit last week.
With the 2026 NFL Draft just around the corner, the Carolina Panthers and general manager Dan Morgan continue to prepare for the highly anticipated event this offseason.
While it remains unclear as to what the organization could do in the first round, fans are monitoring which prospects have taken top-30 visits with the Panthers. And with less than two weeks to go, Carolina recently hosted a potential first-round pick last week.
According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers hosted Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy for a top-30 visit.
Could the Panthers Select McCoy in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) celebrates after making a play during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, November 16, 2024 (Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)McCoy, despite being a talented defensive back, is a polarizing prospect heading into the upcoming draft. After a stout showing during the 2023 college football season with the Oregon State Beavers, McCoy quickly gained the attention of many NFL scouts once he transferred to Tennessee. During his 2024 season with the Volunteers, the 6-foot-1, 188 lbs. playmaker recorded a career-high 44 tackles, nine pass deflections, and four interceptions.
However, while McCoy was considered the top-ranked cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft heading into the 2025 season, a season-ending ACL tear he sustained in his sophomore season has caused for his stock to tumble. And with the impressive rise of LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, McCoy could fall into the hands of the Panthers at pick No. 19, which would be a massive steal for the organization.
Looking at how Morgan and the front office could attack the first round of the upcoming draft, the Panthers are in a prime position to make a move for the 20-year-old cornerback. Carolina's primary need leading up to this offseason was revamping the defensive line, and this was quickly addressed on the first day of the 2026 NFL Free Agency period by the signing of EDGE Jaelan Phillips to a massive four-year deal. This allows the franchise to take the best player available in round one of this year's draft.
Outside of McCoy, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman and tight end Kenyon Sadiq are also in the mix to be selected at pick No. 19. Both players could potentially slide to the Panthers in the middle of round one due to position value, but Morgan's mindset of taking immediate impact players puts the Oregon duo on the team's radar in the draft.
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