Rams predicted to make NFL Draft history with double-dip on Tennessee CBs in ESPN mock

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 offseason with a few clear needs to fill. With Matthew Stafford set to come back, the Rams can focus on going all-in this season.

To do so, the Rams' best option will be to improve the defensive side of the ball, specifically, at cornerback. They struggled too much to close out the season at the corner, and the Rams cannot let things stay as they are next year.

ESPN's Field Yates agrees, predicting the Rams to take a cornerback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But, Yates is predicting they'll take more than one cornerback, and in a feat of NFL history, Yates predicts both CBs will come from Tennessee.

Rams predicted to double-dip with Tennessee CBs in 2026 NFL Draft to make history

Yates is predicting the Rams will draft Jermod McCoy at 13th overall, and then later at 29th overall, picking Colton Hood. Both are cornerbacks, and both are from Tennessee.

"A double-dip at cornerback for the Rams? And from the same college?!" This would be the first instance of a team taking two players from the same school at the same position in the first round during the common draft era (since 1967), per ESPN Research," Yates writes.

This double-dip at cornerback for the Rams isn't that outlandish considering the need at the position, and the recent success of young cornerbacks entering the NFL, and immediately winning Super Bowls.

This year, Nick Emmanwori won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, and the year prior, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean won it with the Philadelphia Eagles.

More: Rams urged to upgrade CB room after Sam Darnold's 346-yard NFC Championship outing

McCoy is a far more risky pick, as he didn't play during the 2025 season. But his film from 2024 was incredible, and the potential he showed that season is enough for McCoy to be a consensus first-round talent this year.

Hood played this season for the Volunteers, putting together a solid season with 34 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, and eight passes defended.

While he might not be as highly touted as McCoy, the production he showed this season is good enough for him to make it into the first round of the NFL Draft.

Thanks to the trade with the Atlanta Falcons during last year's NFL Draft, the Rams own two first-round picks. With a huge need at cornerback after their current crop of starters disappointed this past season, adding two CBs in the first round wouldn't be too far-fetched.

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