Another addition to the Big Blue defense in Round 2, as the Giants selected Tennessee CB Colton Hood with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Hood spent one season each at Auburn and Colorado before arriving at Tennessee, where he became a starter for the first time and ended up as a Second Team All-SEC selection after notching 50 tackles, one INT (returned for a TD), eight passes defensed, and one forced fumble.
This pick was the Giants’ only one on Day 2 entering the evening, so barring a trade back in, they will finish the first three rounds with Hood added to first-rounders Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa.
From NFL.com’s Draft & Scouting Combine Capsule Profile:
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.
