It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys are in the cornerback market, especially with Daron Bland undergoing another foot procedure. While the Cowboys expect him to be ready for training camp, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to cornerbacks and foot injuries.
Dallas will need to add multiple cornerbacks to Christian Parker’s defense, and they are widely expected to use one of their top selections on a defensive back.
One of the top Round 1 options in this year’s class is Jermod McCoy, a talented cornerback from Tennessee, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. His talent is worthy of a top 5 selection, but could he be a target at No. 12? Think again.
Jerry Jones spoke with a select group of media members at the NFL Combine, and one of the more surprising tidbits was that the team would no longer take “project” players early. They need players who can compete right now and can’t afford to wait for players to rehab from injuries and/or get up to the speed of the NFL.
Don't expect the Dallas Cowboys to draft Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
And then there is this from Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. According to Harris, McCoy is a player that he is crossing off the board for the Cowboys after new information was learned in Indianapolis.
Harris did not specify the reason why, as it could be medical or interview-related, or it could be for the reasons we just laid out. It’s possible that his knee isn’t quite 100 percent, and he needs more time. And that’s just something Dallas doesn’t have much right now.
Shavon Revel would be an example of a player they are trying to avoid this year. While they are excited about his potential and future in Dallas, Revel’s rookie season was a disaster from the start. He missed all of training camp and the preseason and by the time he was healthy enough to play, the game was just too fast for him and he wasn’t prepared for the moment.
That decision to draft Revel in 2025 could have a trickle effect on the 2026 class. McCoy did not participate in any of the drills at the NFL Combine and it is concerning for a player who tore his ACL over 400 days ago. Whether or not he was just resting his body for his Pro Day or wasn’t ready to work out can be debated, but it could be an issue for a team like Dallas, which needs players who are ready to play now.
Beyond the health concerns, McCoy also doesn’t meet many of the thresholds the front office tends to set for defensive backs. They like long-armed cornerbacks with elite athleticism, and McCoy’s measurements fell below their usual thresholds. That doesn’t mean he’s off their board, but it sure doesn’t sound like he’ll be an option for the Cowboys in Round 1.
Over the next two months, we should learn more about McCoy and why he might not be a fit for the Cowboys. Considering the credibility of the source, it’s probably best to avoid putting him in your mock drafts to Dallas anytime soon.
And besides, there will be plenty of other elite options available at those picks with far fewer concerns.