The New York Giants on Friday used their second-round pick, No. 37 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, to select Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
The Houston Texans jumped in front of the Giants at No. 36, trading with the Las Vegas Raiders to select defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, thought to be a target for New York after the Giants traded Dexter Lawrence.
In his draft guide, Dane Brugler of The Athletic said:
STRENGTHS● Adequately sized frame and arm length● Patient at the line and sound press-man technique, utilizing two-hand stabs● Controlled mover — comfortably turns to stay hip to hip with routes● Above-average vertical speed; closes space quickly in coverage● Reads receivers’ eyes and leans into the route while attempting to locate● Crowds passing lanes and gets his hands on a lot of balls● Adequate instincts as an underneath zone defender● Physical early in the down and never gets bored● Not shy about getting busy downhill; tackles well one-on-one● Emotionally resilient and doesn’t play scaredWEAKNESSES● Lean throughout, with below-average bulk and skinny lowers● Will allow separation at top of a route and can be late on comebacks● Had some trouble anticipating and reacting with whip routes● Can be inconsistent with timing when looking for the football downfield● Guilty of panicked tugs while playing through the body (holding penalty against Georgia in 2025 negated an interception)● Doesn’t have much experience inside as a nickel● Only one season as a full-time starter (13 career starts)SUMMARYA one-year starter at Tennessee, Hood was an outside cornerback in former defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ man-heavy scheme. After one season at Auburn and another at Colorado, he transferred to Knoxville for the 2025 season and quickly earned the respect of SEC receivers (Georgia receivers Dillon Bell and Colbie Young both said Hood was the best corner they faced in college).
Despite not becoming a defensive player until his junior year of high school, Hood plays comfortably in man-to-man on an island. He competes with the physicality of a bigger and longer player, and he looks to reroute receivers from the jump. He needs to shore up some of his technique and become more consistent in finding the football, but he isn’t a passive or athletically deficient player. He’s also shown promise with his hunting eyes from off coverage and reliable tackling skills. Overall, Hood embraces press-man challenges and is the type of balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers and make things difficult for the offense. He has the talent and wiring to be an early NFL starter.
NY Giants 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Texans obviously thought the Giants were going to select McDonald to begin trying to fill the void left by trading Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. Maybe they would have.
One McDonald was off the board, I thought the Giants might select Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller or Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.
Cornerback, though, was another pressing need. The pre-draft competition between Greg Newsome and Tae Banks leaves a lot to be desired. The 5-foot-11⅝, 193-pound Hood will compete for that spot. He should fit nicely in an aggressive Giants’ defense coached by coordinator Dennard Wilson.
Round 1 (No. 5) — Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio StateRound 2 (No. 10 … via Cincinnati Bengals) — Francis Mauigoa, OL, MiamiRound 2 (No. 37) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee Round 4 (No. 105) —Round 5 (No. 145) —Round 6 (No. 186) —Round 6 (No. 192) —Round 6 (No. 193) —
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