On the heels of a quiet free agency, the Dallas Cowboys could create some fireworks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they need Day 1 contributors more than anything, and striking the right balance between ceiling, floor, and risk is not for the faint of heart.
That’s what makes Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy such a difficult evaluation. His 2024 tape was elite, but he missed the entire 2025 season recovering from a torn ACL. He looked healthy at his Pro Day last week, but there’s still inherent risk in drafting a player who hasn’t seen the field in over a year.
There’s been a steady drumbeat of reporting that the Cowboys won’t roll the dice on McCoy, and The Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris, who flagged Dallas’ hesitation early, is still hearing similar rumblings.
"Of note, a player who has been commonly mocked to the Cowboys, cornerback Jermod McCoy, was not among the 30 visitors. The Star-Telegram reported after the NFL Combine that he is not expected to be in play for the Cowboys because of his injury history, and that remains the expectation following his Pro Day."
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleAll signs point to the Dallas Cowboys not drafting Jermod McCoy
McCoy not being a 30-visit for the Cowboys is perhaps the biggest hint yet that he's off their radar. Like numerous teams, Dallas often drafts players they meet with at The Star.
Make no mistake: cornerback is very much in play in Round 1, where Dallas picks at No. 12 and No. 20, respectively.
Per Harris, the team has met with LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, a possible top-10 selection. It also hosted Arizona's Treydan Stukes, Miami's Keionte Scott, and South Carolina's Brandon Cisse, all of whom boast inside-outside versatility and could fill the vacant nickel role that will be vital under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
In addition to Delane, Stukes, Scott, and Cisse, McCoy’s Tennessee teammate Colton Hood is another player the Cowboys have interest in. It's unclear if they have met with Hood, but Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan has reported for some time that Dallas likes Hood, even going as far as to “pencil in” the former Volunteer at No. 20 overall.
Despite sitting out all of 2025, McCoy is widely expected to be a first-round pick. In fact, following his Pro Day, ESPN draft expert Matt Miller predicted he’ll be the first cornerback off the board. That speaks to how highly McCoy is viewed within league circles.
That there's been no trace of McCoy at The Star is surprising, even if all signs have pointed to Dallas avoiding players with medical red flags.
Go ahead and nix McCoy from your big boards, Cowboys fans. It ain't happening.