Giants Draft Hood, Shake Up Cornerback Battle

0:00It's April 26th. This is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories from around the league. I'm Cory with a story. Giants fans got a boost on day two of the draft, when General Manager Joe Schoen snagged Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood at the 37th overall. Pick. Hood was the fourth highest rated defensive bat coming out, a ball-hawk with elite coverage skills who shocked everyone by sliding into round two. Hood built a strong resume last season with the volunteers, earning the 10th best coverage grade among draft eligible corners with over 400 snaps. He held receivers to just the 53.8% catch rate, racking up 13 pass breakups and forcing two turnovers. Both Hood and the Giants crew were stunned. He fell that far, since they saw him as first round talent, ready to challenge for a starting spot right. Away, head coach John Harbour made it clear, Hood's joining a solid corner room and pushing everybody hard this summer. Now the real drama hits the secondary, where Deonte Banks, the 25th pickback in 2023, has struggled big time.

1:04His coverage dip last year with an 81.3% opponent reception rate and four touchdowns allowed, losing his starting gig, before injuries gave him another shot. With a hole at the number two corner after Cordale flat left in free agency, Hood steps right into the mix against Banks, who might be on borrowed, time with his contract option looming. Harbour even knows Hood's family from coaching stints, setting up a fierce battle that could reshape the Giants defense heading into training camp.