Drafting A Corner With A Bum Knee At No. 15?
April 4th, 2026
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy.
Initially, Joe thought this was outrageous. But a schlock draft dude might be onto something.
At the NFL owners meetings this week, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said the team needs to add at least one, maybe two corners. That could be in the draft or that could be signing someone before training camp.
So Joe was doing research and noticed Bucky Brooks of NFL.com — in his third of 30 schlock drafts, has the Bucs picking a corner. And when Brooks detailed the player, Joe nearly threw up.
Brooks wants Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to draft a corner in the first round who missed the 2025 season with a bum knee! That would be Jermod McCoy of Tennessee.
Taking a flier on a cornerback who missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL is risky, but McCoy’s instincts, awareness and ball skills make it a worthwhile gamble for a team that needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball.
Well, maybe Joe is hung up on semantics, but “taking a flyer” on a player is not what a team should be doing with the 15th overall pick. It’s what you do on the third day of the draft.
Now in the past, Licht has not shied away from taking injury-prone college corners. Carlton Davis was always nicked up at Auburn. And Jamel Dean had three total knee surgeries in high school and at Auburn. Licht won a Super Bowl with those guys.
And of course, Benjamin Morrison dealt with injuries at Notre Dame that forced him to miss chunks of time. The jury is still out on last year’s second-round pick.
However, Licht did not use a first-round pick on Davis, Dean or Morrison. That’s a huge difference.
Now Brooks’ colleague, former NFL personnel guy Daniel Jeremiah, has McCoy ranked as his 15th-best prospect even after missing 2025 with a bum knee, suggesting he’s still a Day 1 starter.
So perhaps Brooks may be onto something?
Jermod McCoy (6’0 193) Tennessee
+ Man coverage ability
+ Ball skills
+ 89.6 coverage grade in 2024
+ 4 interceptions in 2024
+ Reliable tackler with just a 7.0% missed tackle rate in 2024
+ Physicality in coverage
+ Capable in run support– Missed all of 2025 with an ACL… pic.twitter.com/EdYjvQKkFz
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 16, 2026
April 4th, 2026 at 11:11 am
Maybe on Day 3. But drafting Mesidor Day 1 – if he is there – and Rodriguez on Day 2 would solve alot of problems.
Those two can start on opening day. It would be like like getting Sapp and Brooks.
Just hope they will be there. You never know…!
April 4th, 2026 at 11:19 am
He ran a 4 37 at his Pro Day
His knee sound fine to me
Remember the knock on Frank Gore, coming out of Miami
Both are his knees were suspect, had multiple knee surgeries
He went on to have a very long successful career in the NFL
And he was a RB with 2 bum knees
April 4th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Yeah, NO! A hurt/injured player can not help the team win games when they can’t make it on the field. Too many other possibilites to take at 15. Why risk it?
April 4th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Frank Gore , 2 knee surgeries in college, one on both knees
16 seasons in the NFL
16,000 Rushing Yards, averaging 1,000 yards a season
484 Receptions, 3,985 Yards
Put this man in the Hall of Fame
April 4th, 2026 at 11:28 am
The draft is always a gamble. For many players, what they accomplish in college is no where near what they do in the NFL.
Some players though seem to be somewhat more of a ‘almost sure thing’ than most others. And those usually end up at the very top of the draft. At pick #15, finding an ‘almost sure thing’ is doubtful; no Sonny Styles or Arvell Reese or Caleb Downs or Rueben Bain is gonna be there.
Jermod McCoy tore his ACL back in Jan 2025. Potentially could’ve returned last season at Tennessee but chose not to. Was invited to the Senior Bowl but chose not to participate. Was invited to the Combine but chose not to participate. Did however just work out at the Tennessee Pro Day on March 31st and ran a 4.37 sec 40. Many in the media seem positive that he’ll go in Rnd 1, potentially as early as Dallas with the #12 pick.
I like what he did season before last at Tennessee. IF he’s there when we pick at #15, I’d take the gamble. Bucs NEED another CB who could start desperately.
April 4th, 2026 at 11:40 am
@Jcscycles
Both should be there. Rodriguez will but I’d still consider trading down. I think everyone is just getting tired of them drafting & signing a bunch of these injured players.
April 4th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Jermod McCoy is the best CB in this draft
He missed all of 2025 (Which is a good thing) he didn’t rush to get back
But he’s healthy now, ready to rock the field
Frank Gore missed all of 2002 season after tearing his ACL
He played 5 games in 2003, tore his ACL on his other knee
Then he returned in 2004 and was healthy, played the full season
He went on to the NFL, played 16 seasons, the most ever by a RB
He only missed 15 games in his 16 year NFL career
This despite averaging 263 touches a season
April 4th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Drafting A Corner At No. 15 With A Bum Knee..
But…but… but….. didn’t the Bucs already do this with Jamal Dean and now they want to go back that…… Great Googly Moogly!!!!
What I would suggest is trade up for
Jeremiyah Love RB
or
Carnell Tate WR
either that or take someone healthy at 15
April 4th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Word is Nacho the dog abuser is back.
April 4th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
I’m watching a rebroadcast of the 2014 NFL draft on NFL Network, we just drafted this kid Mike Evans ,………he could be good! Meanwhile, the broadcast crew keeps projecting landing spots for the next Joe Namath some kid called Johnny Mansell. I hope he’s there in the second round!!!🤞
April 4th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
We once traded our 2013 Ist round (13th) for a 27 year old CB with a bum knee
And Mark Dominik threw in our 2014, 4th round pick, for good measures
Then paid the guy $16 million a year
I know this sounds weird
But it’s a Buc life
April 4th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Sure why not. Him, and Morrison can take turns missing time. Morrison made such a difference for us last year, why not double down, and take another corner coming off injury?
April 4th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 4th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Jermod McCoy is the best CB in this draft
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name sounds too much like Gerald McCoy, people here might be triggered and loose there minds!
April 4th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
This is exactly how you get players of his caliber at #15.
Dont mess this up Jason.
Any other year this CB is top 10.
April 4th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Anthony
I was talking about Darrelle Revis
Because McCoy has a lot of Revis in him
If not for the knee issues, he would be a top 3 pick
April 4th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
If doctors clear him I’m down. If he is healthy then great pick. But doubt he’ll be there.
April 4th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
They did that last year with Morrison and his bum hips. How about draft a healthy, productive player for a change.
April 4th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
@ Lakeland: I was joking. Also, the Cleveland Browns just picked Johnny Menzel and Mike Maycock is proud as a peacock!
April 4th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Jermod McCoy is only 20 years old with a huge ceiling
He’s definitely worth the risk
But l don’t believe he’s a good fit in Bowles defense
He’s solid in press man coverage, he’s not a zone CB
Schiano made the mistake of trying to play Revis in a zone defense
A press coverage CB, belongs on an island
Not playing in a soft zone
April 4th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
History says that you wait until round 2 for players with his medical history
April 4th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Supposedly if you tear an ACL and recover your knee is stronger and you more unlikely to ever tear it again. I would support picking McCoy or Sadiq more than the 5th or 6th best edge at 15. If someone takes McCoy before us, they may push someone down to us we did not expect also…
April 4th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I have a weird feeling Styles will drop right into our lap.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
I was reading about McCoy and I think one mock draft might have had the Bucs drafting him at 15. Hard no, Bucs need an Edge or DT at 15. No more IR basket cases, Bucs need immediate help that can attend all of training camp, with no injury excuses or playing from behind latter in the season.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
It seems like his ACL is good, but I’m sure multiple docs will look at him. I like him slightly more than Mesidor. with two bad feet. One ACL > Two Bad Feet??? Picking McCoy would like Licht trade away Zyon for a proven edge rusher. I wouldn’t miss Zyon, he couldn’t tackle his grandma at a Bingo night.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
um, no….Julian Neal / Will Lee III… if we do go there early 3rd, Prysock if we go later…..you’re welcome
April 4th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
I don’t think there’s any DT worth picking at 15 (no pass rushing DT) and the 5th or 6th best edge is unlikely to be better than what we already have there. So the draft is unlikely to provide what you are looking for. A great corner or tight end could both help this team a ton though. So could a great ILB.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Agree St Pete Matt. We need corners for sure. Got to draft one early and another on day 3. Go DT and LB day 2. If Sediq is there though at 15 have to seriously consider it. If not then go corner with our first pick.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
stuck in m o d again….eh
April 4th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Stpetematt … ‘A great corner or tight end could both help this team a ton though. So could a great ILB.’
CB yes. ILB sure. TE big no, unless his name is Gronk.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Nah, there’s healthier and viable value at CB day 2.
More talent at CB than there is at Edge in this class and I wouldn’t want to bypass a top 5-7 player at EDGE to take a player bouncing back from rehabbing(again).
Liking Tacario Davis more and more.
Andre Fuller out of Toledo
Tony Grimes truther out of Purdue
Either of Florida CBs
Daylen Everette
CB & ILB are kind of like pick your flavor, there are prospects with lower projections that could be perfect fits depending on your team makeup over some of the top guys at the position.
I think we’re in a position to land a CB anytime during day 2 that can come in, contribute on special teams and potential push for playing time.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
You can never have enough good cornerbacks…ever.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
No way he is there at 15. Kid is a day one starter and a stud.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Absolutely friggin NO! not at #15. Are you guys crazy?
April 4th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Mesidor is injury prone, you can’t hold injuries against this kid if you aren’t holding them against other options. Now, if you want edge drafted first, then the gamble is will they contribute year one?
April 4th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Why not drafting McCoy with the 15th pick
Buc fans are fully confident that 3 offensive lineman with bum knees are healthy
So why not have confidence in a guy almost half their weight?
April 4th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
No way! He needs to stick to drafting round2+ corners. That’s his bread and butter.
April 4th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Not sure what difference a 1st round CB makes when the front 7 mostly trash…QBs with all day to throw will pick anyone apart. I’m not saying CBs don’t matter. I’m just saying pressure is the great elixir for getting by with average CBs.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
McCoy is the value pick and a position of need. Probably need to grab another CB day 3. LB and DT rounds 2 and 3. I hope Hill, Jackson or McClellan are still around.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Not that the NFL site scouting reports means all that much, as they tend to be on the safe/boring side, but this is one of his cons…
‘Displays some indecision on zone switch-offs.’
So basically he struggles at the very concept that Bowles runs.
Anywho, for someone to miss an entire year, and to be drafted that high, would mean – to me – it’s someone that the previous year, had they been available, would have been drafted in the top 5, or even top 3. From what I know about McCoy he’s not that highly rated, and this seems like a huge stretch.
April 4th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
A year removed from a torn ACL isn’t a “bum” knee. He 22 year old easily recover fully from a torn ACL in 10-12 months.
Hell I tore my ACL in college when I was 20 and with half ass rehab and 20 years ago, I was back running and cutting 9 months later and to this day have never had an issue with it.
McCoy is a absolute stud CB who would be a fantastic pick at 15.
I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s the pick. Getting arguably the best CB in the draft at 15, is better thsn reaching for the 4th or 5th nest edge.
April 4th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
Licht has never shy’d away from taking injured players……and look where it’s got him, secondary can never stay healthy. Every week new CB back there.
April 4th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
Jermod McCoy is 20 years old , born August 16, 2005
He had knee surgery January 2025
Which makes him about 19 years, 8 months at the time of the surgery
The surgery occurred about 14-15 months ago
Right now he should be completely healed, and strong as ever
April 4th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Cornerback at the 15th pick does make some sense. It seems there are about 3 to 4 guys valued at about that level. If you can get a stud at that position instead of a good DT or a good DE than you got to consider it.
April 4th, 2026 at 7:33 pm
Jason Licht won’t have to make the decision of drafting McCoy
Because he won’t be there at 15
April 4th, 2026 at 7:42 pm
He will fall to later rounds. Worth a gamble in rounds 4-7. Or take a chance if he goes undrafted. Not in a position to gamble with the draft picks.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
“Jason Licht won’t have to make the decision of drafting McCoy”
Colton Hood might be there, gets more interesting if we find a trade partner, or the trade partner finds us.
I’d love to hear what would be Lichts bare minimum in terms of trade offers would be. As much as I like what our options might be at 15th overall. I think in this draft and what we may be looking for, an extra pick in the top 50-100 would be hard to turn down.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Objection: counselor is prejudicing the jury with “bum knee” categorization of witness, your Honor.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
Dont bring him here where corners come to die
April 4th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch – I think the Bucs might be able to get some trade back offers in two scenarios. Either the OT’s drop, or there’s a run on OT’s and someone wants to grab one before the top guys are gone. The other is if someone really wants Sadiq and he’s still there.
I think if the Bucs drop back, say 5 spots, that’s probably a 3rd and a 5th or so. If it’s more than 5 spots, then you’re talking a 2nd, and obviously the price goes up from there.
Pure speculation obviously, but based on player talent and the Bucs needs, I’d love to see them drop back and pick up an extra 2nd rounder. I’d love to double dip at ILB, get two of Hill / Louis / Rodriguez. But I think a lot of people will be wanting to move back as this draft seems pretty strong in the 2nd round – so I doubt the Bucs will be able to find a partner.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
Man, I was just reading about McCoy’s pro day – and wow, now I see why he might end up going even before the Bucs pick. He put up fantastic numbers across the board, and participated in all drills – so he’s obviously fully healthy. I take back what I said earlier about being a reach. Still slightly risky taking a guy that high coming off a missed season, but he’d be fully ready to go for the offseason and wouldn’t be missing time – and sounds like he would have been the #1 corner this year – and still might end up being the first corner taken.
So after doing some more reading on him, watching some of his 2024 highlights, and seeing some scouts talk about him, yeah, I’d be good with this pick. But it sounds like he’ll likely be gone.
April 4th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
McCoy is #19 on Draftek’s Big Board, and #15 on NFLMockDraftDatabase Big Board. Mesidor is #20 and #33.
Mesidor would be OK if Jason Taylor comes with him! Otherwise I’m picking McCoy.
April 4th, 2026 at 10:13 pm
Bucs need to bolster the front 7. Not sure how a corner in the early rounds will help the trenches.
April 4th, 2026 at 10:49 pm
I haven’t bothered to even read this yet but I just gotta ask you a question.
PLEASE…. tell me you’re not serious?
April 4th, 2026 at 11:22 pm
So. We get our a$$e$ beat to death on both lines of scrimmage last year. I’m not saying we don’t need a stupid good corner. But please. First things first.
April 5th, 2026 at 12:37 am
McCoy is going to be a star in this league. Mesidor won’t.
Even if Mesidor had star potential, this team isn’t capable of developing defensive linemen. Please don’t me write the list again.
Slow muscle man Noah Spence all the way to too tiny Kancey.
I’d draft a linebacker. Rodriquez would be a star here.
We can teach linebackers
April 5th, 2026 at 11:54 am
The dude was a rock star in ‘24.
April 5th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Picking injured draft players at pick 15 sounds like a risk most teams would simply take a pass. Hopefully the Bucs are one of them. If available at draft round 4-5 would make sense and hopefully makes sense for Jason Licht too.
April 5th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Bucs should trade up and get Styles if he’s available around pick 5 or 6. We have tons of players who are ok, we lack playmakers on defense. Styles will be a playmaker.
April 6th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Nah. Go for Edge or get Monsoor Delane
April 6th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
Well Licht can’t draft a pass rusher so why not
The guy can play if healthy