Peter Schrager Predicts Bucs Go Cornerback At No. 15
April 8th, 2026
The Bucs select…
A year ago at the NFL owners meetings, Bucs coach Todd Bowles told assembled media types at the NFC coaches breakfast that he absolutely would not rule out taking an offensive player in the first round.
Sure enough, the Bucs shocked the football world by passing on an inside linebacker and drafting Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Last week at the owner’s meeting, Bowles said the Bucs need one cornerback and preferably two before training camp.
Friend of Joe and closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager of ESPN put out his first mock draft this week (his second and final mock comes out in two weeks).
Schrager has the Bucs selecting Jermond McCoy of Tennessee. You know, the corner who missed all of 2025 with a blown knee. Yikes!
So Joe decided to see what veteran NFL scribe Bob McGinn heard about McCoy from his rich list of NFL sources and scouts for GoLongTD.com.
McGinn has McCoy ranked as the top cornerback in the draft.
1. JERMOD McCOY, Tennessee (6-0 ½, 190, 4.40, 1): Played two seasons and merely 25 games, with 18 starts, after missing all of 2025 following ACL surgery. Won’t be 21 until August. “The biggest knock is he didn’t play last year,” one scout said. “But he’s almost 6-1. He can run. He’s got ball skills. He’s got toughness. He has starter potential for sure and he’s done some punt returns.” Blew out his knee during a workout in January 2025. Was cleared to resume practice late in the season, which he did, but didn’t play in a game. After sitting out the combine, he ran an important and fast 40 to go with a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-7 broad jump. He repped 14 times in the bench press at Indianapolis. Arms were 31 ¼ inches. “He played pretty well in ’24,” said a second scout. “Is he one of those that can shut down a CeeDee Lamb? I don’t know. He’s into the game. His teammates really like him there. Played a solid brand of ball. He was at Oregon State originally, which is a little concerning. You mean, everybody in the country missed on this guy and he ended up going to Oregon State and then being the first corner taken?” Started five of 12 games for the Beavers as a true freshman in 2023 before shifting to Tennessee and starting all 13 games. “Sudden, quick, twitch, explosive,” said a third scout. “He plays with an edge … almost too much of an edge. He was getting penalties for face masks, fightin’ and all. ‘C’mon, man, just calm down.’ But it’s easier to calm them down than coach them up. He can mirror. In run support he’ll trigger and hit people. He’s really talented. He’s top 10 if everything checks out with the ACL.” Finished with 75 tackles, six interceptions, 16 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “I liked his size and his speed but didn’t like his reactions,” a fourth scout said. “He played a little soft.” Three-star recruit from Whitehouse, Texas. All-state baseball player. Won state titles in the long jump (23-10 ½) and triple jump (50-7 ¾). Added a fifth scout: “He’s not really a first-round player. He’s like a second-rounder. He’s not elite but he’s solid.” Returned six punts for a 9.8 average in 2024.
The fact that McCoy is a special teams player certainly helps, as does his young age. Another reason Joe doesn’t think Schrager’s pick for the Bucs is nuts: Joe knows who Schrager talks regularly. His decades-long friendship with Bucs assistant general manager Mike Greenberg is very public.
But Joe, the Bucs drafted two corners last year. Why would the Bucs draft another in the first round?
Did Benjamin Morrison look ready to start to you? Did Zyon McCollum play like he deserves a starting gig handed to him just because he’s a veteran? Joe is a big Jacob Parrish fan and Joe would be surprised if he doesn’t take over Jamel Dean’s spot.
That likely leaves one starting gig available and the Bucs could pencil McCoy there provided he’s healthy.
To read one scout’s description of McCoy, he sounds like a fast Carlton Davis, a guy who gets a little handsy.
Jermod McCoy 44 Tackles, 4 INT, 7 PD 2024 Season Highlights.
The first round project pick missed the entire 2025 season due to an ACL tear. pic.twitter.com/X68BdN50St
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) March 4, 2026
April 8th, 2026 at 7:21 am
Drafting the talented but injured cornerback didn’t work out that well last year so let’s try it again.
April 8th, 2026 at 7:22 am
He aced his Pro Day. Speed was there, and was moving like he should. Don’t know if picking CBs is Licht’s strong suit OR if it’s the number 1 need for us. OLB is certainly a top need. Rather than CB, a stud left Guard. Trade back seems very likely for us overall
April 8th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Deception
April 8th, 2026 at 7:59 am
smokescreen!!!!!
Bucs will draft OG with the first pick!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 8th, 2026 at 8:01 am
I don’t think the Bucs can pick anyone with a history of a significant injury or injuries. I damn sure wouldn’t. This may not be the Super Bowl year in the eyes of the Glazers, but it damn sure better be a playoff year. Can’t risk shopping at the scratch and dent sales with the first pick.
April 8th, 2026 at 8:10 am
we had davis, dean and bunting…
and none are still here…
how crazy is that
April 8th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Whoa!…too many red flags to draft McCoy at 15 overall: knee injury, short arms, 14 total bench presses, had to go to Oregon St first, penalties etc. Late 1st maybe early 2nd to a team already set at CB
April 8th, 2026 at 8:12 am
It’s a wonder how some of these “scouts” have jobs. Saying McCoy isnt really a first round pick is just laughable.
Also, he’s a beyond a year removed from an ACL, which is absolutely fine.
If the Bucs aren’t able to trade down (very likely) and are forced to stick and pick, then JL will go BPA, which just might be McCoy (best CB in the draft IMO).
I still think JL might surprise with a OT that will start initially at guard.
I think it comes down to how high the Bucs are on Mesidor.
April 8th, 2026 at 8:16 am
what the heck happened to bryce hall…it’s like the dude never got on the field here…
maybe sign mike evans’ nemesis…the saint’s corner…i’m forgetting his name at the moment…if he’s still out there on the open market…
oh yeah……………………………………..lattimore
April 8th, 2026 at 8:21 am
McCoy 2024 tape better than anyone’s 2025. Zone, press, man – can leave him alone on an island. If we go for position value (CB) + BPA over need (DL), wouldn’t mind having a lock down corner on team.
April 8th, 2026 at 8:21 am
shrugs for schrages 🙂
#His33rdMockDraftIsInTheBooks
April 8th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Hasn’t played for a year and coming off an injury. Maybe at #30, but not at #15
April 8th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Dan, bench press reps couldn’t be any less relevant for a cornerback. And 14 is fine for a guy his size anyway. I actually like the player, but not at 15. It’ll be one of the big guys. I’m hoping for McDonald. But the guard Iovne (?) is a stud as well.
April 8th, 2026 at 9:00 am
If drafting the best player available or out of need is the Bucs standard why are football analyst are all over the place in picking their 1st round pick for the Bucs.
Has Jason Licht made it difficult who they will pick. There choices have been wild. They make no sense. Some of them make fools of themselves in their picks.
Hey Jason keep them guessing. It’s fun to watch.
April 8th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Nope, prefer McDonald with a slight trade down.
Would like a corner but not one coming off of injury. Let’s try this for once, how about we draft a corner who played every game in college and never got hurt.
That should be the first vetting point. Durability being just important as other skill sets and physical traits for once.
April 8th, 2026 at 9:27 am
I have been saying for awhile we need 2 corners. The current starters are not starters by a long shot. Drafing the best corner in the draft makes a ton of sense at this point. As much as the Bucs need 2 MLB and a Starting OLB , the Bucs need 2 corners even more that is how bad it is. Let’s hope if they do this guy pays off.
April 8th, 2026 at 9:33 am
NO stop with then injury prone players. I know advent health sponsors this team but my god if we have learned anything it is if they break easy they will be broken all the time. See Carlton Davis and Jamal Dean please.
April 8th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Didn’t we learn with Jamel Dean and Morrison. Don’t draft someone in the first round who is a question mark. Pick the best player available who doesn’t have injury problems.
April 8th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Hard pass on a guy coming off an ACL – period. Need a vet that can play, no more draft crap shoots. Already have three of those, although Parrish looks like a player. Morrison – book is out on him. McCollum is a joke. Ridiculous waste of money for an average to a below average CB. That’s on Jason.
April 8th, 2026 at 10:33 am
This kid is a top 2 corner in this draft. Who cares about an ACL from a year ago? This isn’t 1990, people. Kid is an absolute stud. Too bad he won’t make it to 15 though, because he would be my pick in a heartbeat.
April 8th, 2026 at 11:36 am
If he lasted to 15, I wouldn’t mind it. He and Mesidor are some options if you have to stick and pick. Fans need to understand that trading back isn’t always an option. You need a partner. Sometimes you might have one that’s low balling you. Offering moving back 10 spots but only offering a late 4th rounder.
McCoy is a top 5 talent. His ACL tear will be 18 months ago by the time camp starts he’s fully healthy. He an alpha the Bucs could use that in the backend. He and Smith will give that backend some much needed swag.
April 8th, 2026 at 11:47 am
You will never have enough good CB
I’m all for a CB at 15
April 8th, 2026 at 11:48 am
Still hoping we can trade back if a trade partner arises but if he’s there at 15 I’m good with it. Solid pick. Though I doubt he will be there. This dude isn’t comparable to our past picks. He’s way better. Acl doesn’t bother me consider how long it’s been. Lots of good corners had injuries before their NFL careers. Most notably Jalen Ramsey. Anyone who says we need a guard more than cb doesn’t make sense to me. I still don’t care who we get as long as it’s not sadiq. Would still prefer they trade back if possible.
April 8th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
It starts up front. We’ve infested a ton on our secondary, and it still sucks. Draft all the corners you want, without a pass rush, good luck.
April 8th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
I am still a believer in Antoine Winfield , he saved bowles ass one season. Bowles defense puts secondary in bad positions. Winfield would be all pro with another coach.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
I wasn’t paying too much attention to McCoy until Joe ran a story about him a few days ago – and my original take was no thanks. BUT, I did some more reading on him, watch some scouts talk about and then saw he did a full workout at his pro-day and had some remarkable results, was completely unlimited – meaning he’d be 100% ready to go this offseason. I am now completely onboard if they go this route. He looks like he could be a very special player – but I think he’s also rocketed up a bunch of draft boards after that pro-day so I doubt he’ll still be there at 15.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
chark Says:
April 8th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
I am still a believer in Antoine Winfield , he saved bowles ass one season. Bowles defense puts secondary in bad positions. Winfield would be all pro with another coach.
————
Winfield is, by far, the best player on defense, and the 2nd best player on the team – only behind future 1st ballot HOF’er Wirfs.
People down on Winfield are your typical low IQ dopes that have no idea what they’re watching. They’re the people claiming Winfield blew the play vs the Falcons – when clearly on tape you see Kindle not drop into coverage and fill his part of the zone AND there’s the whole thing where Bowles literally said Kindle didn’t drop into coverage and do his job. Yet those same dopes will continue to claim it’s on Winfield. Then they’ll say, he got beat by a TE in Pitts on a play… well Pitts was a top 5 pick because he ran a 4.44, and if he has an advantage very few people are going to catch him (Winfield ran a 4.45).
April 8th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Rod. Watching Winfield in 2023 was a pleasure. He was locked in. In 2024 he got injured in camp and wasn’t on top of his game in the games he was able to play. In 2025 he concerned me. Blitzed alot. Looked halfhearted. Lost contain a few times. And of course you’re gonna look at safety play when your defense is getting gashed for big plays. Winfield wasn’t better than Smith or Parrish last year. Winfield having a great season is a requirement for our defense to be good. I know he’s got it in him.
April 8th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Pass defense improves organically with a good pass-rush; I personally think our secondary while not perfect are being asked to cover too long because we can’t get to the QB…
April 8th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
AnonymousBucsFan76. Couldn’t agree more. Good point.
April 8th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Parrish is a good outside CB. He’s a GREAT slot CB. Keep him where he excels, and watch our inside pass defense go from horrible to good. If you draft McCoy, then you light a fire under Zyon and Morrison because they know somebody’s going to be odd man out. A little extra motivation wouldn’t hurt either of them.
April 8th, 2026 at 8:36 pm
Yikes. Im with Sean Sullivan…if Mesidor is there you take him.