Latest news with #JermodMcCoy
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rams don't go QB in new 2026 mock draft
The Los Angeles Rams could have a lot of fun in the 2026 NFL Draft. Armed with their first-round pick as well as the Atlanta Falcons' first-round pick, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay can move around the draft as they wish — if they wish. Advertisement A lot of pundits believe the Rams will take a quarterback in a stacked first round as the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford, but Pro Football Network's Mark Stolte isn't so sure L.A. will go that route. In his new three-round 2026 mock draft, Stolte predicts the Rams will instead use their picks to upgrade other positions of need and forego the quarterback, mostly because all of the top names are gone by the time the Falcons' pick comes up. This mock also assumes Arch Manning returns to Texas for another season. Here's how PFN predicts the Rams' 2026 draft will go: Pick No. 12 (from Falcons): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee "Picking 12th and missing out on the top five quarterbacks is rough for the Los Angeles Rams," Solte wrote. "Thankfully, that's thanks to the Atlanta Falcons, not their own performance. Nevertheless, that makes picking Jermod McCoy an easy call, especially with extra draft capital to find Matthew Stafford's replacement later or in 2027. In 2024, he looked like a true lockdown corner — allowing just 31 catches on 62 targets, grabbing four interceptions (tied for 11th), breaking up six passes, and giving up a 53.6 passer rating (39th out of 494). Even better, McCoy showed up against big-name receivers." Pick No. 25: The Rams trade back with the Panthers The Rams trade out of the first round for the second consecutive year, this time sending Nos. 25, 89, 143, 164, and a 2027 third-rounder to the Panthers for No. 38 and the Panthers' 2027 first-rounder. So, the Rams would own two first-rounders in 2027 which once again insulates them from Stafford leaving. Pick No. 38 (From Panthers): Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn Singleton will have wrapped up his first season at Auburn after two years at Georgia Tech, where he caught 104 receptions for 1,468 and nine touchdowns in 24 games. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Singleton would compete for the Rams' No. 3 receiver spot behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua Pick No. 57: Micah Morris, G, Georgia Morris is entering his third year as a starting offensive lineman for Georgia. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 330 pounds. You can never have two many offensive linemen, and Morris could be a good depth piece for L.A. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Rams don't go QB and trade back instead
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
As All-American Jermod McCoy rehabs injury, here are Tennessee football's cornerback options
In the corner of the Tennessee football practice field, the team's only returning All-American is on a stationary bike rehabbing his injured knee. Until cornerback Jermod McCoy gets off that bike and onto the field, the Vols will face a series of questions in the secondary. Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez is trying to solve them with a positive attitude. 'You're going to have to adapt and adjust. We know that Jermod is going to be back,' Martinez said. 'But I'm not frustrated. I wouldn't look at it that way. 'Here's an opportunity for some of these new and young guys, or even some of the older guys, to get quality reps to make us better. We're not going to be elite unless we have enough depth.' In January, McCoy suffered a torn ACL during a training session at his home in East Texas. He underwent surgery and returned to UT to rehabilitate. The Vols hope he's back in the lineup early in the 2025 season, but no official timetable has been released. For now, McCoy's absence has a compounding effect in UT's secondary, which already faced offseason challenges. In February, Rickey Gibson, the other starting cornerback, considered entering the transfer portal, but he's participating in spring practice. One starting safety spot is vacant. Starting nickelback Boo Carter is dividing his time between defense and offense, where he's getting reps as a wide receiver. Nickelback Jourdan Thomas is still out with a serious knee injury suffered last August, and he's on a stationary bike beside McCoy at practice. Meanwhile, most of the backup cornerbacks are freshmen or walk-ons, so McCoy's speedy return is essential. UT opens the season against Syracuse in Atlanta on Aug. 30, followed by a home game against ETSU. The SEC opener is against Georgia on Sept. 13, when McCoy would be needed the most. UT's secondary is coming off its best season during coach Josh Heupel's tenure. The Vols ranked No. 5 in the SEC in pass defense. They ranked No. 14 in 2021, No. 12 in 2022 and No. 8 in 2023. MIKE MATTHEWS Why Tennessee WR didn't leave despite transfer portal temptation McCoy is one of the best cornerbacks in college football. He earned All-America and All-SEC first-team honors last season. And he was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football. McCoy is not easily replaced. Jalen McMurray, a veteran who transferred from Temple a year ago, has slid into the starting spot opposite Gibson during spring practice. The group is thin and inexperienced after that. Marcus Goree played only eight defensive snaps last season as a freshman. William Wright and Colin Brazzell, the younger brother of UT receiver Chris Brazzell, are walk-ons. Tre Poteat, Timothy Merritt and Ty Redmond are freshmen debuting in spring practice after enrolling early. Kaleb Beasley has moved from cornerback to safety, where he's competing for a starting spot. Cornerback Jordan Matthews transferred to Vanderbilt. Defensive back Christian Harrison transferred to Cincinnati. And defensive back Christian Charles is limited by an injury in spring practice. Meanwhile, Martinez said McCoy is making the most of his rehab. "(McCoy) has been outstanding. He's just growing as a leader. He's out there every day, and he's actually coaching guys in the room," Martinez said. "I told him that's how you're going to stay involved in this thing and become an elite corner. You don't have to physically do it. You can do it mentally." Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jermod McCoy injury update: Tennessee football's secondary options
