2026 NFL Draft prospect CB Jermod McCoy
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Jermod McCoy of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to hit the clock at No. 9 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft two weeks from today.
They could go a multitude of different directions with the pick. Experts are learning more about team’s intentions the closer we get to the draft, including which prospects could go later than expected, and ones that will be taken earlier than originally thought.
Tennessee CB Jermod Mccoy Is Being Linked to Kansas City Chiefs With Ninth Overall Draft Pick
Jermod McCoy Stats
Getty2026 NFL Draft prospect CB Jermod McCoy
On Thursday ESPN draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid shared the latest draft intel they have gathered. Miller admitted that it is still a bit of a mystery what the Chiefs will do with their No. 9 and No. 29 overall picks in the first round, but McCoy is emerging as a name to keep an eye on.
“In talking to sources both in Kansas City and around the league, there seems to be no strong indicator of where the Chiefs will go with either of their first-round picks. The Chiefs will see how the board falls and have needs at core positions such as offensive tackle, wide receiver, edge rusher, defensive tackle and cornerback. A hot name to watch at corner is Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) … if he makes it to No. 9.”
McCoy is still a developing player at just 20 years old and only two seasons of collegiate football under his belt. He played well as a freshman a Oregon State in 2023, recording 31 total tackles, seven passes defensed, and two interceptions in 12 games.
McCoy took his game to another level when he transferred to Tennessee in 2024, posting 44 total tackles, nine passes defensed, and four interceptions in 13 games, earning Second-Team All-American honors.
Unfortunately, McCoy tore his ACL while training in January of 2025, costing him the entirety of the following season. Over a year removed from the injury, he proved to scouts that he is healthy by having an excellent showing at Tennessee’s pro day, running a 4.38 40-yard dash and posting a 38-inch vertical jump.
Chiefs’ Early Positional Draft Targets Are Coming Into Focus
Rueben Bain
GettyMiami EDGE Rueben Bain closes on Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos.
It has become clear over the last couple of weeks that cornerback and edge rusher have elevated as Kansas City’s top positional targets early in the draft. The Chiefs own four selections in the top 75, and it would be a shock if two of those picks weren’t used at cornerback and EDGE.
Several of Kansas City’s latest top-30 visits have been with the top edge rushers in this year’s draft class, such as Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Arvell Reese. The Chiefs have lacked in the sacks department each of the last two years, and star defensive tackle Chris Jones will be 32 years old at the beginning of next season.
Kansas City has hosted just one cornerback on a visit – San Diego State’s Chris Johnson. However, the need to add one is apparent after losing starters Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Cornerback is considered the deepest position in this year’s class, so it’s possible the Chiefs wait past the first round to grab one.