Colton Hood — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Hood is not only a good cover corner but a fierce tackler, as well. That's the brand of football Jim Harbaugh wants to play.

The Rams avoided the urge to fill their biggest need when the board didn't line up at No. 13, but it falls into place here. Hood is a force in press-man and contested catch-and-run defense settings, bringing a different flavor to what the Rams tried out at this spot last season in Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Los Angeles has a nice track record with draft acquisitions from Tennessee, including linebacker Byron Young and safety Jaylen McCollough. If Hood can be a CB2 from the jump, it could set the Rams and, notably, their pass rush up to take a leap on this side of the ball.

The Rams double down on the secondary in Round 1 with free agency threatening to eat into their DB depth. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Hood can both take the ball away.

A double-dip at cornerback for the Rams? And from the same college?! This would be the first instance of a team taking two players from the same school at the same position in the first round during the common draft era (since 1967), per ESPN Research. But I believe this move merits consideration given the overall strength of the Rams' roster and the vulnerability of their secondary. Hood didn't actually take any snaps on the field with McCoy, as he transferred to Tennessee prior to the 2025 season that McCoy sat out due to injury. But Hood more than made up for McCoy's void with 10 pass breakups this past season.

I don't think it makes a ton of sense for the Jets to take a swing at wide receiver here, and we still don't know who their quarterback will be. They've got so many holes to address and I think they might be smart to wait until next offseason to be aggressive in getting a quarterback.

But this was the first team in NFL history to not get an interception in a season. So, they need someone who can help in the secondary. Hood's a really good player.