Jermod McCoy isn't your typical fourth-round rookie. The Las Vegas Raiders landed him on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, yes, but this talented cornerback would have been a top-15 pick had it not been for concerns about his knee. But by all accounts so far, McCoy is faring just fine.
After missing a handful of OTA practices during the spring, McCoy has essentially been a full participant at training camp, outside of one designated day off. From a pure talent perspective, the Raiders would be fools not to consider McCoy as a potential starter at some point this season.
But the young defensive back hasn't played football in a year and a half, so patience is required with him. Plus, McCoy has had an up-and-down training camp in Las Vegas, which is to be expected for any rookie, especially one coming off a major injury. He's a third-stringer on the current depth chart.
However, McCoy is still setting high goals for himself as a rookie, and the feeling around him in the building is quite positive.
Jermod McCoy has good days and bad days at Raiders training camp
Most of the training camp hype at cornerback has been about fifth-rounder Zeke Masses' ascension, so McCoy has been a bit glossed over. To put things succinctly, let's just summarize all of the reports about him from the first 10 training camp practices, day by day.
July 29 - McCoy played with the second and third-team defenses, not rotating in with the 1s at all. He did not get thrown at much during team periods, but he "looked ready for action," according to one report, and worked with the punt returners.
July 30 - He made his first splash play of camp on Day 2, when he jarred the ball loose from Roman Hemby in the flat and would have had a walk-in touchdown.
August 2 - McCoy made a nice PBU during the team period with the second group, but was called for defensive pass interference at one point in practice as well. He also got beat by Shedrick Jackson on a go ball during this session, too.
August 3 - For the second straight practice, McCoy was flagged for defensive pass interference. He then bounced back and broke up a pass thrown to Dareke Young. McCoy had a handful of nice reps and even got his first opportunity to play with the first-team defense.
August 4 - McCoy "had some nice coverage reps downfield but struggled with hitches," according to The Athletic's Sam Warren.
August 7 - Unfortunately, multiple reports surfaced that McCoy got bulldozed by fellow rookie fourth-rounder, running back Mike Washington Jr, on a run.
As you can see, some good and some bad. McCoy obviously has all the potential and ability in the world, but he is a rookie adjusting to the NFL level. Not only that, but McCoy is coming back from a huge setback and is still getting his sea legs as a football player. That will take time.
But it doesn't sound like any of this has shaken McCoy's confidence, and most importantly, he has been available during camp.
Up-and-down start isn't dimming Jermod McCoy's expectations in Las Vegas
Despite his up-and-down showing thus far at training camp, McCoy still displayed immense confidence when asked by reporters on Monday about his goals during the 2026 NFL season.
"Well, as a rookie, I definitely want to be an All-Rookie, make that team, All-Pro, things like that for sure," McCoy began. "Then, I want to get like three or four picks. I love getting that ball back."
All-Pro? Shoot for the stars, then, young sir. Nobody is going to be upset with a first-year player wanting a lot for himself, and if we're looking at talent alone, it is certainly not out of the question. Just ask defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
"I think it's pretty glaring in individual [drills], his natural talent," Leonard said to reporters. "And it's fun to see him progress. He's working along. He's an exciting prospect."
His veteran teammate, safety Jeremy Chinn, has been impressed in the early going as well.
"He's been on the field now, too. He's been sharper. He's been making plays on the ball every time he's out there," Chinn told the media.
Klint Kubiak, however, is just happy that McCoy is playing and progressing.
"He's been available for three days, which is a really positive start," Kubiak admitted. "So, just keep stacking days, we’ll keep monitoring his mileage, and just see how he comes in and recovers the next day. But to see him out there getting as much work as he's getting, has been excellent.”
McCoy isn't forgetting about how disrespected he was during the pre-draft process and as the event played out, though. He still "100%" believes that he was the best cornerback in the class, and he is carrying that chip on his shoulder to Las Vegas.
"Oh yeah, that's something that'll be with me forever," McCoy said. "I'll just always remember it. It's going to keep fueling me to push forward."
Doesn't it bug him, though, that 31 teams were scared about the long-term prognosis of his knee? Wouldn't all of the question marks surrounding his health make him doubt the fact that he could play at all this year, let alone at a high level?
"I don't really doubt myself. If I put my mind to something, I feel like I can always do it," McCoy said.
Go ahead and do it, then, Jermod. Raider Nation knows you can.
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