The Carolina Panthers have been linked to a very risky move this NFL offseason.
The Carolina Panthers have been one of the NFL's biggest surprises this offseason, sitting at 7-6 and now tied for first place in the NFC South after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' loss to the New Orleans Saints — who the Panthers will face next week — on Sunday.
However, in spite of the massive jump Carolina has taken in 2025, it's still patently obvious that the Panthers have holes that need to be patched.
One of the biggest areas of concern for Carolina is its secondary. Yes, is signed cornerback Jaycee Horn to a lucrative contract extension, but the Panthers need to get him some help.
That's why Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has Carolina selecting a defensive back in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but he has the club making a risky pick: Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy.
"Carolina signed Jaycee Horn to a long-term extension, but the rest of the unit was patched with glue and construction paper," Edwards wrote. "Jermod McCoy's 2024 season was top-10 overall caliber, but he has been absent all season due to an injury; a situation that could ultimately be to the Panthers' gain."
Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy. Credit: Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.McCoy missed all of 2025 due to a torn ACL, which automatically makes him a rather sketchy player for the Panthers to select in the first round. That's especially considering there will be a bunch of intriguing corners on the board this year, and not just on Day 1.
Yes, McCoy was terrific the season prior, racking up 44 tackles, four interceptions and nine passes defended, but can a needy team like Carolina really take the plunge and select him so early in what will be such a pivotal draft for the club?
Many still view McCoy as the best cornerback in this year's draft class, but in this class, the Panthers would probably be better off rolling with LSU's Mansoor Delane if they are going to go with a corner in Round 1.
Delane was healthy in 2025 and registered 45 tackles, a couple of picks and 11 passes defended, the latter of which was tied for the SEC lead.
I do like the idea of Carolina adding a cornerback, but I'm just not so sure the Panthers should play with fire by taking McCoy.