NFL Draft 2026: McCoy's Stock Soars Amid Trade Buzz

Updated evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft are sharpening as pro days wrap up and teams pivot toward individual workouts and internal grading ahead of the April 23-25 event. Draft analysts Matt Miller and Field Yates outlined how recent testing and roster math could reshape both prospect tiers and first-round strategy.

 

One of the clearest movers in the latest assessments is Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. At his pro day, McCoy showed what was described as a full return from a torn ACL, pairing that recovery narrative with standout testing: a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. Those results have pushed him back into top-15 consideration, with evaluators now viewing him as a potential contender for the CB1 spot alongside LSU’s Mansoor Delane.

 

Quarterback sorting behind the top of the board is also tightening. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Miami quarterback Carson Beck were highlighted as increasingly credible candidates to be the third-best quarterback prospect in the class. Nussmeier was credited for instincts and accuracy, while Beck was noted for natural throwing ability and experience, setting up a direct comparison point for teams weighing readiness versus traits.

 

On the team-strategy front, Miller and Yates pointed to two franchises as plausible trade-down candidates from Round 1: the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks. For Buffalo, the logic centers on limited early-round inventory, with the Bills holding only three picks in the first four rounds, a setup that could encourage a move to add draft capital.

 

Seattle’s situation is even tighter on volume, with a league-low four selections, and the analysts suggested the Seahawks could use the 32nd pick either to collect additional picks or to position for a prospect with a fifth-year option.

 

Positional demand is expected to shape the first round heavily, particularly in the trenches. The analysts projected five to six edge rushers and six offensive linemen to come off the board in Round 1, reflecting both depth and league appetite. They also flagged a higher-end scenario in which as many as nine edge rushers could be selected, citing the class’s strength and the NFL’s ongoing preference for rotational pass rushers.

 

What remains uncertain is how teams will balance testing, medical comfort, and roster needs once private workouts and final boards are set. With trade-down possibilities tied to pick volume and multiple premium positions projected to run early, the final shape of Round 1 could hinge on how quickly edge rushers and offensive linemen come off the board, and whether quarterback ordering beyond the top tier forces teams to move up or wait.