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