The 2026 NFL season is almost here, and over the next few weeks, we’ll get a closer look at the New York Giants in year one of the John Harbaugh era during training camp and preseason matchups.
One of the biggest storylines this summer is the cornerback battle, with the starting CB2 role up for grabs alongside Paulson Adebo. Greg Newsome II, Deonte Banks, and rookie Colton Hood are competing for that spot.
Many Big Blue fans hope Hood eventually steps into the CB2 role and becomes a star with the G-Men, but a recent report suggests the 2026 second-round pick may not be ready to start the season. That may not be the worst thing, given the Giants’ strength of schedule.
Giants' schedule may have fans waiting a little longer to see Colton Hood
Dan Duggan of The Athletic recently shared his training-camp depth chart analysis, breaking down each position and what we could expect by the end of camp, when the 53-man roster is released.
In Duggan’s piece, he spent a lot of time breaking down what the secondary could look like by the start of the regular season. He says Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin appear locked in as the team’s starting safeties, while cornerback remains unsettled.
Duggan writes that Newsome II has gotten work in the slot with Phillips sidelined with a knee injury, while Banks has played better than what we are used to seeing in his first three seasons. Adebo has been disappointing, allowing too many completions, despite being the favorite to be the team’s CB1.
With Phillips injured and Adebo struggling, Hood is in position to compete for opportunities, but Duggan writes, “Hood doesn’t look ready to be a Day 1 starter.”
He adds that it’s not the end of the world given the Giants’ matchups early in the season, where they will face the Cowboys and Rams, who both have what he called “high-octane passing attacks.”
Duggan has a point. If Hood isn’t ready, the Giants can’t afford to rush him into a starting role when his first NFL assignments could include some of the league’s best wide receivers, including CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams.
I think I speak for all of Big Blue Nation when I say we would rather let Hood develop and wait until he’s ready than let him get his Welcome to the NFL moment by getting burned in his first two games in the league.
That’s not to say Hood won’t play in the Giants’ first two games of the season; he may need more time before starting games and could play limited snaps.
If the G-Men don’t rush the 21-year-old’s development and give him time to mature, Hood should eventually get his opportunity. Giants fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about him. They just might have to wait a little longer to see what he can really become.
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