The Las Vegas Raiders may be getting a big boost from one of their draft picks in the secondary.
Fourth-round pick Jermod McCoy will practice with the team when training camp opens Wednesday, and there is optimism he will be able to contribute this season.
“The plan is to get him reps early and see how he responds in his recovery,” coach Klint Kubiak said Tuesday. “It is a moving target with him. He’s a guy that’s worked extremely hard and has been dedicated to the program that we’ve put in front of him. Jermod hasn’t played football in a year, and we’re aware of that, but he’s ready to go practice tomorrow. We’re also going to be really smart with him and develop him the right way.”
A healthy McCoy could change the complexion of the defensive backfield for a team that invested heavily in the draft in an effort to upgrade the position.
McCoy, however, is the biggest wild card in the group.
He missed last season at Tennessee after undergoing ACL surgery, but was still viewed as a certain first-round selection in the draft until concerns were raised over the long-term prognosis of his knee.
The Raiders eventually made the move to trade up and select him with the first pick of the fourth round and could have the steal of the draft if he is able to stay healthy.
The Review-Journal will count down to the opening session by looking at a different position group each day, wrapping up with the secondary today.
Roster
Cornerbacks — Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Taron Johnson, McCoy, Hezekiah Masses, Greedy Vance, Decamerion Richardson, Chigozie Anusiem, Caleb Offord
Safeties — Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, Tristin McCollum, Devin Lafayette, Tanner Wall, Devyn Perkins
Outlook
One outside cornerback spot is secure with Stokes, who had a great first season with the Raiders. He was able to remain healthy and was one of the few bright spots on the 3-14 team, earning him a lucrative new deal.
He should provide stability on one side of the field as long as he is able to stay healthy again.
The other outside spot is likely to become even more of a competition if McCoy truly is in the mix.
He’s the most talented option for sure, but has missed a year and will need to show he can knock off the rust even if he is fully healthy.
Porter saw some starts there last year, and while he was a bit inconsistent, he does have elite traits that should give him a chance to win the job.
Masses, a fifth-round pick, raised some eyebrows with his performance at OTAs and could see some time as well.
Richardson is a 2024 draft pick of the Raiders, while Vance and Anusiem are also returners who will compete for time.
Offord joined the team as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Johnson was brought in to solidify the nickel corner role, one he has played at a very high level for the Buffalo Bills over the last eight seasons.
Several of the nickels and safeties should be somewhat interchangeable in this defense.
Stukes is likely to play all over the secondary. He adds the kind of versatility new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard covets and will likely be on the field quite a bit as a rookie.
Perkins, who signed after rookie minicamp, will look to find a role for himself.
Chinn and Pola-Mao return as the starting safeties, but the Raiders brought in plenty of competition. Pola-Mao, in particular, will need to have a solid camp to solidify his spot.
Johnson, a close friend and college teammate of Stukes, looks like he could have a big role as a rookie.
McCollum played in 16 games for the Raiders last year and was solid at times.
Lafayette and Wall are undrafted rookie free agents who will look to stand out as camp begins.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
