Raiders' Fourth-Round Pick Recognized as One of NFL's Most Overlooked Rookies

The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for the 2026 season with a roster full of potential, notably highlighted by their top draft choice, Fernando Mendoza. Following a remarkable collegiate career, Mendoza is the player capturing most of the spotlight; however, there’s another rookie who might make an earlier impact than expected.

Jermod McCoy, selected in the fourth round, has recently been acknowledged as one of the most underrated rookies in the league. The Raiders capitalized on an opportunity when this highly regarded talent unexpectedly dropped to them during the draft. Despite being projected as a first-round talent, McCoy's medical concerns led to his fall into Day Three.

According to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, McCoy was once considered a top prospect after an impressive 2024 season at Tennessee. However, a torn ACL in January 2025 sidelined him for the entire following season, altering his draft trajectory. Heading into this year’s draft, he was still ranked as the 11th overall prospect on Bleacher Report’s final Big Board.

The Raiders revamped their defense in the offseason, yet they require reliable starters in the secondary. If McCoy meets expectations, he could turn out to be one of the biggest steals from this year's draft class. "I expect him to practice. I expect him to be on the field," said head coach Klint Kubiak, emphasizing the team’s belief in McCoy's abilities. "We drafted him to play, so I expect him to compete in camp and get plenty of reps."

Alongside McCoy, the Raiders have other promising rookies, including offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III and outside linebacker Keyron Crawford, who may also vie for immediate playing time. With a total of four defensive backs drafted, McCoy will not be alone as the team looks to strengthen its secondary.