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Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy is six feet tall and 20 years old, weighing in a 193 pounds.
The Washington Commanders have set themselves up in a very favorable position for the 2026 NFL Draft. Throughout the first month of the NFL Free Agency period, Washington’s front office, led by general manager Adam Peters, has been brilliant. The Commanders have signed 23 new or restructured contracts since the end of the 2025 season, the most in the league. In free agency, they have spent $252,940,000, the fourth most this offseason. And yet, despite all those moves, they still have over $49.6 million remaining in cap space, the second most among all 32 teams. The Commanders have now improved several areas of their roster through external signings. This provides them with flexibility in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Adam Peters made it clear in an interview with NBC4 Sports that their goal was to give themselves the best opportunity to take the best player available with the seventh overall pick.
“One of the things we wanted to do was make it so we don’t have to force a pick”, Peters said.
Now, with the clock getting closer and closer to the draft, which begins on April 23rd, the Commanders are exploring a variety of prospect options as they have the freedom to go in many different directions with their pick.
Among all of the research they are conducting, one surprising prospect may have just jumped up their board.
CB Jermod McCoy Is a Risky Option, But Has Elite Upside
GettyJermod McCoy recorded 44 total tackles, four interceptions, and received an 87.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus during the 2024 college football season.
Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy opted to sit out the 2025 college football season, despite being cleared to play after recovering from a torn ACL. McCoy suffered the injury well over a year ago, but chose to focus on preparing for the NFL and ensuring he was at 100% instead of risking reinjury during the season. He is still a projected first-round pick despite coming off the injury and not participating in the Senior Bowl or NFL Scouting Combine.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has him ranked as the 15th-best prospect entering the draft. “McCoy had an outstanding 2024 season but missed the entire ’25 campaign due to an ACL tear”, Jeremiah recapped. “He is at his best in press coverage, effectively landing his one-hand jam while maintaining balance to stay on the hip and mirror. He is always under control with his movement. In zone coverage, he will set traps, knowing he can sink back and recover to make plays on the ball.”
The biggest step for McCoy was to showcase his health at his pro day. Well, he did that and more.
Jermod McCoy’s Pro Day May Boost Him Into A Top-10 Selection
Dean Jones of Rigg’s Rag recapped McCoy’s performance. “It was a supreme showcase of athleticism and dynamism in equal measure. McCoy blazed a trail with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical jump, and 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. Perhaps more importantly, the fluidity he displayed during his on-field drills was exactly what NFL teams were looking for.”
Jones states that McCoy’s performance may have been enough to boost him into top 10 territory. “The recent showcase from Jermod McCoy at Tennessee’s pro day could flip the top-10 on its head,” Jones suggests.
GettyThe Washington Commanders had the third-lowest defensive coverage grade in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.
When discussing whether the Commanders could take him with the seventh overall pick, Jones tempers expectations with a condition. “Taking him at No. 7 overall does seem a little risky. Peters won’t hesitate if he believes it’s the right thing to do…There may be too many doubts to pick McCoy ahead of [Mansoor] Delane at No. 7. But if Peters can somehow find a willing trade partner and move back a few spots, the situation becomes a lot more likely. Either way, McCoy’s electrifying performance at the Volunteers’ pro day is enough to provoke a discussion at the very least.”
The Commanders only have three picks in the top 150, so trading back would make sense. However, if Peters and his team believe that McCoy is the best player available at their position, they may take him. Regardless, whatever direction the Commanders move in, it is set to shake up the entire draft.
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