Where Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood landed in ESPN's latest NFL mock draft

ESPN’s Field Yates on Wednesday had both Tennessee Football defensive backs Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood as first-round picks in his updated NFL mock draft, but both players slipped toward the bottom the bottom of the round.

Yates has McCoy as the No. 21 overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles while he has Hood projected at No. 30 overall to the New England Patriots. 

“The Eagles need to add to their cornerback depth opposite Quinyon Mitchell,” Yates wrote, “and we know Philly is a team that always finds value. This would be a calculated risk, as McCoy did not play at all this season after an ACL tear in January.”

LSU’s Mansoor Delane is the first cornerback off the board in ESPN’s new mock draft, going No. 11 overall to the Minnesota Vikings. Clemson corner Avieon Terrell was next at No. 18 to the New York Giants.

NFL scouts are split on Jermod McCoy after missing season with ACL tear

McCoy was projected as a top-10 pick and the No. 1 corner off the board over the summer, before missing all of the 2025 season.

McCoy did not play after tearing his ACL during offseason training in January. He was a star last season with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee. 

“Some scouts believe (McCoy) is a top-10 prospect,” Yates wrote, “while others are dubious he will even go in the first round without any tape this season. But his elite skill set was obvious with the Volunteers last season, resulting in four interceptions and nine pass breakups. And the Eagles have taken a chance on injured prospects before, drafting linebacker Jihaad Campbell in April despite some concern over a left shoulder injury.”

Colton Hood brings ‘an infectious energy’ at defensive back

Hood had a breakout season for the Vols out of the NCAA Transfer Portal after transferring from Colorado. He had 50 tackles, eight passes defended and an interception and fumble returned for a touchdown.

He had 24 tackles and six passes defended at Colorado in 2024, after starting his college career at Auburn in 2023.

“Hood has some areas to clean up with his technique,” Yates wrote, “but there’s an infectious energy that you see every time you watch him play. He posted 10 pass breakups this season — his first with Tennessee after spending one season at Colorado and his freshman year at Auburn. 

“Hood loves the challenge of man coverage and can be an aggressive player in run support.”