Rumors may be pointing to a major slide for the CB.
Back in the 2025 NFL Draft, one of the most polarizing prospects was Michigan CB Will Johnson. This was due to his being out for an entire season, but having excellent tape in 2024 made him a very high-level player who could still be selected early in the draft. His draft range was really up in the air, but in the end, Johnson had a massive slide in the draft, all the way to the Arizona Cardinals at 47.
When Johnson was not selected in the first round, it was a massive shock to many, but it all made sense in the end. Johnson had some concerning knee issues that worried teams around the league, and although the CB had top-10 talent, the risk was too high for many.
Now, why do I bring this up? Well, the story seems to be repeating. Jermod McCoy, arguably the top CB in the 2026 NFL Draft, missed the entire 2025 season with an injury, and it has knocked him out of most offseason workouts. Although it seemed like the tides were changing a bit recently, McCoy may have been making a bit of a surge late in the draft process. Instead, during the week of the draft, his draft stock has gone the opposite direction, and now, McCoy may see a massive fall on draft night.
Like with Johnson, McCoy is dealing with lasting knee issues that are scaring teams, but the difference is that this news is coming out a few days before the first round of the draft. If the slide has already started, there is a good chance McCoy could fall even farther than what happened with Johnson last season, and this may be the Saints' chance to find gold on day 2.
CB is a need for the Saints, and one more injury to this current room could spell major danger for the team next season. Finding a starter somewhere in the draft could go a long way, and if the Saints do not do this in the first round, McCoy could be a perfect day 2 option. He has the talent to be a top player in the class, and he can play both man and zone. The injuries will be an obvious issue when discussing the Saints' interest in selecting McCoy, but if they do not view them as a career-changing, long-term issue, then stopping his slide in the third round would be an excellent move.