Should the Vikings draft Tennessee DB Jermod McCoy?
Cornerback is a dire need for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fortunately for them, an impressive class awaits. One of the premier options in April will be Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, but he doesn’t come without caveats. He suffered a torn ACL while training in the offseason and missed the entire 2025 season. This poses a huge risk for the Vikings, as he’s an unproven commodity this year, but the pick would have home-run potential if he lives up to the player he was last year.
McCoy’s tape in 2024 is elite, which is why he’s still the cornerback one on most analysts' boards. His calling card is his impressive movement skills and ability to mirror opposing receivers in man coverage. McCoy’s at his best when he’s playing tight, press-man coverage. He’s physical at the point of attack and frequently bumps a receiver off his route, thus disrupting the offense's timing. He has fluid hips and seamlessly transitions from backpedaling to sprinting. Additionally, he has outstanding footwork that rarely leaves him off-balance. He’s reactive and consistently mimics the receiver, not allowing them any separation.
McCoy thrives while in man coverage, but is equally skilled in zone. His eyes are disciplined and are constantly reading the quarterback, trying to anticipate the throw. He has an excellent feel for space and understands boundaries, masterfully using the out-of-bounds as an extra defender.
An area of McCoy’s game that could use improvement is his impact against the run. He’s a good tackler, but can struggle to separate from blocks. This can allow the offense to attack boundaries on outside zone runs. He needs to get stronger at the point of attack, which is a reasonable area to develop when he enters the NFL.
McCoy’s interviews and private workouts with teams will be pivotal in determining his stock. Currently, it’s up in the air. Some analysts have him as a top-10 pick, while others are closer to the end of the first round. McCoy will swiftly rise up rankings if he impresses and shows he recovered fully from his ACL tear. However, if there are questions and he isn’t fully healthy, it’s possible he drops out of the first round entirely.
Overall, the Vikings should be in the market for a cornerback during the NFL Draft, and perhaps the top option is Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. No one is questioning his coverage ability, but his torn ACL is a serious cause for concern. He will need to show he’s healthy and fully recovered during team workouts, but if he does, he will likely be an early draft pick.