Colton Hood 2026 NFL Draft Profile: Everything you need to know about Giants' second-round pick

Prospect Overview

NFL.com: Press-man bully with an ability to put his stamp on the first and last phases of the snap. Hood plays with a disruptive punch and gets his hands on most releases, but shifty NFL wideouts could create issues for him. He has enough speed to stay phased on verticals and does a nice job erasing space on in-breakers from tight press or off-man looks. He’s disciplined in zone but route switches still cause occasional missteps. Hood plays with aggression in the catch space, taking top positioning by force. Physicality also shows up in run support, where he triggers downhill with stopping power and finishes like an extra safety. Hood needs to sharpen his instincts/technique, but he has the mentality and upside to become a CB2 in a press-heavy scheme.

Bleacher Report: Hood plays with the confidence and man coverage tenacity that's seen him shut down some of the best receivers in college football. Practicing against future NFLers every day in practice while at Colorado prepared the 5'11", 193-pound corner to enter 2025 as Tennessee's top corner with teammate Jermod McCoy rehabbing an injury. He makes plays on the football and comes downhill with explosiveness that limits yards after catch and lets him attack the catch point.

Why Hood makes sense for the Giants

The Giants' defense under coach John Harbaugh is evolving, especially in the secondary. Hood gives New York an ascending cornerback who starred in his 2025 season at Tennessee, where he transferred after spending 2023 at Auburn and 2024 at Colorado, totaling one interception while breaking up nine passes and making 50 tackles (4.5 for loss) and forcing one fumble with one recovery in 12 games. Hood was a semifinalist in 2025 for the Jim Thorpe Award, which annually recognizes college football's top defensive back.

Connor's Take

The Giants still had needs as the second round began. Interior defensive line was one of their biggest. Kayden McDonald, believed to be atop their board, was there one pick before the Giants' selection ... which is when the Texans moved up to get him.

So, New York pivoted, selecting Hood.

Hood finished last season with a 79.2 ProFootballFocus grade, including an 80.3 mark in coverage. He has good size (5-foot-11, 193 pounds). He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. NFL.com described him as a "press-man bully" who should step in as a Week 1 starter next to Pauslon Adebo.

NFL Comparison

Bleacher Report: Kamari Lassiter