The New York Giants selected cornerback Colton Hood with the 37th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, enhancing their secondary. Coach John Harbaugh believes Hood will energize the cornerback room and improve competition.
The New York Giants got deeper, more talented, and certainly more physical in their secondary on Friday night after selecting Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood with the 37th pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Hood, a bit of a surprise pick to onlookers, was no surprise to the Giants, who wasted no time in drafting him.
The Giants needed to bolster the roster at corner. Hood gives them more options. The unit now consists of Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Hood, Deonte Banks, Korie Black, and Art Green, with Dru Phillips and Ar'Darius Washington in slot/nickel roles.
"I want a great room. I want a dominant room. I want a bunch of... Pitbulls out there... Making plays on the football," Harbaugh told reporters after the pick. "Colton Hood gives us another guy in there to do that and compete and push everybody... So you put another pitbull in the room and see what he does."
The Giants are in the hole talent-wise because Banks, the team's 2023 first-round pick, has not panned out. Harbaugh said the team hasn't quite slammed the window down on him despite his poor showing.
"He hasn't played that great. He'd tell you that. But is he capable of playing a lot better? I think he is," Harbaugh said.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: John Harbaugh: Colton Hood will 'light a fire' in Giants' CB room
Colton Hood is a cornerback from Tennessee, drafted by the Giants to strengthen their secondary and add competition.
Colton Hood is expected to enhance the physicality and depth of the Giants' cornerback unit, contributing to a more competitive environment.
John Harbaugh expressed that Hood will 'light a fire' in the cornerback room, emphasizing the need for a dominant and competitive group.
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