New York Giants land unexpected player in Cynthia Frelund's first mock draft

[ASFN Admin]

In her first 2026 NFL mock draft, NFL Media analyst Cynthia Frelund projects the New York Giants selecting Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy with the No. 5 overall pick.

This choice stands out as a surprise, given McCoy's torn ACL in January 2025, which kept him out for the entire 2025 season.

Frelund's data-driven model emphasizes McCoy's high upside despite the injury risk, pending positive medical evaluations at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and throughout the pre-draft process.

McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025 (he missed all of last season), so we'll have to see how his medical evaluations turn out during the draft process (including at the NFL Scouting Combine). But my model loves his potential and upside: He has the highest rating for a true press corner in this year's class. Also, at just 20 years old, he's two years younger than my No. 2 rated corner, Mansoor Delane.

McCoy, a junior, is viewed as an aggressive press-man corner with elite traits, ball skills, and competitiveness. Frelund's selection aligns with the Giants' potential defensive scheme under new leadership, prioritizing high-potential talent to bolster the secondary.

While unconventional due to the injury and other prospects like LSU's Mansoor Delane drawing attention, the pick highlights Frelund's faith in analytics over consensus rankings.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants land unexpected player in Cynthia Frelund's first mock draft

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