This surprising New York Giants rookie has received a shocking update in training camp.
The New York Giants are trying to get their cornerback room sorted out during training camp, and things aren't exactly looking great.
Top cornerback Paulson Adebo has struggled, and I don't think anyone is wholly confident in either Greg Newsome II nor Deonte Banks.
But what about rookie Colton Hood?
The Giants selected Hood in the second round of the NFL Draft back in April, and many felt that New York landed possibly the best cornerback prospect in the class.
The problem, though, is that Hood was very raw and would likely need a fair amount of seasoning before actually getting starter reps on the professional level.
Or not.
Giants insider Art Stapleton actually believes that Hood will end up starting alongside of Adebo very early in the season, stating that if it isn't Week 1, it will be "soon after."
Stapleton specifically mentioned Hood's physicality and ability to stop the run as determining factors in New York's upcoming decision.
New York Giants cornerback Colton Hood. Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images.The question, of course, is whether or not Hood's potential insertion into the starting lineup is a great sign for the rookie or a bad sign for the rest of the cornerback room.
Asking a second-round cornerback to start on Day 1 is a lot. It's arguably the most difficult position in the sport, and again, Hood is pretty green.
This could entail that neither Newsome nor Banks have impressed John Harbaugh and the coaching staff in training camp.
But yes; it could also mean that the Giants are simply so enamored with Hood that they think the University of Tennessee product is ready for a major role right from the jump.
Hood actually began his collegiate career at Auburn in 2023 before transferring to Colorado. He then transferred to Tennessee after just one year with the Buffaloes.
During his lone campaign with the Volunteers, Hood posted 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a pick-six and eight passes defended.
Given how physical Hood is, he should be a great fit for defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's press-heavy scheme.
Surely, the Giants will monitor how Hood looks in preseason action before making any rash decisions, but things are looking good for the first-year defensive back.
