The New York Giants addressed a key need in their secondary on Thursday night, selecting Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood with the No. 37 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.

The 6-foot, 193-pound Hood emerged as one of the top cornerback prospects following a standout final college season. Originally from McDonough, Georgia, he began his career at Auburn before transferring to Colorado in 2024 and then to Tennessee in 2025.

With the Volunteers, Hood earned second-team All-SEC honors, starting 12 games and recording 50 tackles, an interception returned for a touchdown, eight passes defensed, and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Hood impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, a 40.5-inch vertical leap, and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. Scouts praise his physical press-man coverage skills, disruptive hands, zone awareness, and aggressive run support, drawing favorable comparisons to Carlton Davis III.

The Giants, seeking cornerback depth, see Hood as an immediate competitor for a starting role alongside Paulson Adebo. His size, athleticism, and competitive mentality position him to develop into a reliable CB2 or better in a press-heavy scheme.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2026 NFL draft: New York Giants select Colton Hood at No. 37 overall