Raiders Bet on McCoy's Comeback in Fourth Round

The Las Vegas Raiders made their opening selection on the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, choosing Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy with the first pick of the fourth round. The decision represents a calculated risk for the franchise, as McCoy spent the entirety of the previous season sidelined due to a devastating torn ACL injury. Despite the significant setback, the Raiders organization expressed confidence in McCoy's ability to return to his previous form and contribute immediately to their secondary.

McCoy's journey to draft day proved lengthy, as he remained on the board longer than many had anticipated during the pre-draft evaluation period. His injury status undoubtedly played a significant role in his delayed selection, with multiple teams opting to prioritize fully healthy options earlier in the draft proceedings. However, the Raiders' medical staff and coaching personnel clearly viewed McCoy as a worthwhile investment, betting that his rehabilitation and recovery trajectory would result in a productive NFL career.

The Tennessee product had established himself as a promising defensive back prospect prior to his ACL tear, demonstrating strong coverage skills, exceptional athleticism, and the physical tools necessary to compete at the professional level. His college tape showcased excellent technique in man-to-man situations and the ability to read opposing quarterbacks' intentions from the backfield. The Raiders' decision to select McCoy in round four suggests they believe he can return to performing at or near his pre-injury level once fully cleared for competition.

McCoy himself has publicly stated his determination to prove doubters wrong and showcase his value to the franchise that invested in him. Speaking candidly about his recovery process, the cornerback expressed eagerness to demonstrate that the torn ACL injury represents merely a temporary obstacle rather than a career-defining moment. His competitive mentality and drive to return to peak performance may prove instrumental in his successful rehabilitation and integration into the Raiders' defensive scheme.

The selection of McCoy opens the fourth round of the 2026 draft, marking the beginning of what many analysts consider the most unpredictable segment of the annual player selection process. Teams often find hidden gems in the fourth round, discovering talented players whose draft stock has fallen due to various circumstances. For the Raiders, McCoy represents exactly this type of opportunity—a player with legitimate NFL talent whose recent injury history has created a window for selection at an advantageous position.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the draft's final day proceedings, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik experienced an unexpected fall down the draft board, eventually finding his home with the New York Jets. Klubnik's journey through the draft process had been marked by considerable debate regarding his professional readiness and transition to the NFL game. His eventual selection by the Jets came after multiple teams opted to pass on him earlier, creating a sliding effect that surprised many draft analysts and evaluators.

Klubnik's decline in draft positioning reflected broader concerns about his performance at Clemson, where he had struggled to consistently showcase the elite-level quarterback traits that many had expected to see develop. Despite considerable hype surrounding the prospect during his college career, his actual performance on the field failed to match pre-draft expectations and projections. The Jets' willingness to wait until later rounds to select him indicates their belief that Klubnik might represent a longer-term developmental prospect rather than an immediate NFL contributor.

The contrast between McCoy's and Klubnik's draft experiences highlights the unpredictability inherent in professional sports talent evaluation. Both players enter the league under less-than-ideal circumstances—one recovering from serious injury, the other facing questions about his college performance and professional readiness. However, both franchises clearly see potential in these players that extends beyond their immediate draft positioning and recent setbacks.

The fourth round has historically been an area where NFL teams can find significant value, particularly when established prospects fall due to medical concerns, character issues, or simple misvaluation by the broader scouting community. The Raiders' selection of McCoy follows this traditional fourth-round strategy, targeting a player with obvious talent who requires time to rehabilitate and prove his worth at the professional level. If McCoy successfully returns to form, the Raiders may have identified an exceptional value pick that could significantly impact their secondary for years to come.

As the draft's final day continued to unfold, teams remained focused on filling roster needs and identifying talent that could contribute to their long-term organizational goals. The selections made on Saturday would ultimately shape these franchises' defensive schemes, offensive systems, and overall competitive futures. For Jermod McCoy and Cade Klubnik, their respective draft selections represent new chapters in their professional careers, complete with expectations, challenges, and opportunities to prove themselves at the NFL level.

The 2026 draft's final day served as a reminder that talent evaluation remains an imperfect science, with injury histories, college performance metrics, and future potential creating complex variables that teams must weigh carefully. The Raiders' decision to invest in McCoy demonstrates faith in the cornerback's resilience and recovery capabilities, while the Jets' patient approach with Klubnik suggests a longer-term developmental strategy. Both organizations hope their selections will ultimately prove prescient, demonstrating the value of strategic risk-taking in the latter stages of the annual draft process.