NFL Combine medical red flags: Caleb Downs, Jermod McCoy, Derrick Moore, Oscar Delp, Ahmaad Moses
Should the Lions take a risk on any of these newfound medical concerns?
Every year at the combine, players are found to have medical issues which can impact draft stock. Here are 5 players who fit that category along with their updated medical concern level. And most relevantly to Lions fans, how the new medical information might affect the Lions draft.
Derrick Moore, EDGE (23) - hamstring
Projected round 2
Pre-combine concern level 1/10. Post-combine 2/10.
Click below for pre-combine analysis of Moore…
At the combine, Moore stated that he had suffered a hamstring injury 2 weeks prior that would prevent him from working out at the combine.
A minor hamstring is of minimal to no concern moving forward. However, whenever a player unexpectedly decides to scrap a workout, there is concern there could be something going on that is more than “just a hamstring”.
The poor hamstring is the go-to scapegoat for players who don’t want to reveal true intentions. We saw this with Alex Anzalone’s “hamstring” during his training camp hold-in last season.
Effect on Lions draft
If Moore has a full, quality workout at his pro day, then much of the concern will be alleviated, and he may go even before the Lions 2nd round pick. If Moore is still limited up to the draft, it could cause him to slide to the 3rd round. The Lions may need to be ready to make a risk/reward decision on him in the 2nd or 3rd round if he’s available.
Jermod McCoy, CB (21) - no combine workout post ACL
Projected round 1
Pre-combine concern level 4/10. Post-combine 5/10.
Click below for pre-combine analysis of McCoy…
McCoy suffered an ACL tear in January 2025 which prevented him from playing during the 2025 season. While it’s possible he could have returned in November or December for a couple games, his lack of action wasn’t a big concern.
What’s really concerning is that he did not work out at the combine which was 13 months post-injury. With a typical ACL recovery, he should be ready to not just work out, but play in an NFL game at that point. Is he hiding something?
For example, Alim McNeill was playing at just over 10 months post-ACL. Even Malcolm Rodriguez, who had a delayed recovery due to a follow-up surgery, was playing at 12 months.
If McCoy has a great pro day, that would help alleviate concerns but not completely eliminate them. The skipping of combine workouts means his knee and overall health will still need a deep investigation. If McCoy has an incomplete or limited pro day, then his concern level will shoot to the roof.
Effect on Lions draft
McCoy is considered an early 1st-round talent, but his concerns could easily have him dropping to the Lions at #17. I think that’s way too early for the Lions to take on the risk, especially since there will be many low-risk options at higher priority positions like OT and EDGE.
If McCoy falls to the 2nd round, then he might be worth the gamble. However, given the recent experience with Ennis Rakestraw, Lions fans understandably would be wary of taking an injured CB in Round 2.
Oscar Delp, TE (23) - foot fracture
Projected round 3-4
Pre-combine concern level 1/10. Post-combine 8/10.
Click below for pre-combine analysis of Delp…
Delp was found to have a hairline fracture in his foot during medical checks at the combine. This prevented him from doing any workouts. Reportedly, he knew about the fracture and had played his final college season with it.
A common example of a fracture that can be played through is a Jones fracture. Due to the notoriously poor blood supply in that area, natural healing is unreliable, thus surgery is often performed at some point. In 2024, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Johnny Newton had played through Jones fractures in college, and worked out prior to the draft. Both, had subsequent foot surgeries.
A Jones fracture carries concerns due to risk of nonunion, refracture, and decreased athleticism. There is some risk that the rookie season will be affected if the surgery doesn’t take, but Delp should be ready for the start of the season if all goes well. Both McKinstry and Newton were available for their rookie seasons.
Delp stated he plans to work out at his pro day on March 18. I expect him to perform well, but that does not rule out the need for a subsequent surgery.
Effect on Lions draft
If Delp falls into the 5th or 6th round, then the risk/reward balance may become worth it for the Lions. The Lions currently have 2x 4th round picks, 1x 5th round pick, and 2x 6th round picks. They are projected to add another 5th round compensatory pick. All those later round picks give the Lions the flexibility to take on a risk.
Caleb Downs, S (21) - knee concerns
Pre-combine concern level 1/10. Post-combine (if rumors are true) 9/10.
Downs entered draft season as one of the top overall prospects in the draft. However, some very concerning medical rumors about his knee emerged following the combine.