Tennessee Cornerback Colton Hood Slips in NFL Mock Drafts

Hood was once projected as a first-round pick, but now may fall to the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:55pm

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Colton Hood, a standout cornerback from the University of Tennessee, was once considered a likely first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. However, recent NFL mock drafts have shown Hood's stock slipping, with some analysts now projecting him to be selected on the second day of the draft rather than the first round.

Why it matters

As one of the top cornerback prospects in the class, Hood's potential slide down draft boards is noteworthy. It could impact his draft position and potential landing spot, as well as the overall depth of talent at the cornerback position in this year's draft.

The details

After strong performances at the Reese's Senior Bowl, many analysts had projected Hood to be selected between picks 11-25 in the first round. However, more recent mock drafts have shown him falling out of the first round entirely, with some mocking him to be picked on the second day. Meanwhile, Tennessee teammate Jermod McCoy, who missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, is still projected to be a first-round pick, potentially going as high as 11th overall to the Miami Dolphins.

  • Colton Hood was considered one of the top cornerback prospects entering the 2025 college football season.
  • Hood performed well at the Reese's Senior Bowl in January 2026.
  • Recent NFL mock drafts have shown Hood's stock slipping, with some projecting him to be selected on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Colton Hood

A standout cornerback from the University of Tennessee who was once projected as a likely first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jermod McCoy

A Tennessee defensive back who missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, but is still projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially going as high as 11th overall to the Miami Dolphins.

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The takeaway

The potential slide of Colton Hood in NFL mock drafts highlights the volatility of the pre-draft process and the importance of on-field performance. While Hood was once considered a surefire first-round pick, his stock has slipped, potentially impacting his draft position and landing spot. This serves as a reminder that the draft evaluation process is fluid and can change rapidly leading up to the big event.