We are 54 days out from the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

The NFL Scouting Combine is coming to a close in Indianapolis, so we will soon get a clearer sense of what (or whom) teams are focused on. Obviously, things can change once free agency gets underway, but it’s time to start looking at the top 50 prospects that fit the New York Jets. We will count down from No. 50 to No. 1 on our way to draft day.

Some guidelines that I followed:

  • This is not a “true” prospect ranking; it is a ranking based solely on the Jets’ perceived needs, schematic fit, and coaches’ previous tendencies.
  • My overall prospect big board differs from this ranking; my overall big board grades are in parentheses. Some positions will be very lightly represented in this Top 50 (offensive tackle being one).

Let’s kick things off, starting with No. 50 on the list: a special player who stepped into a starting role due to injury and parlayed that opportunity into a fantastic season.

No. 50: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

  • Big board rank: No. 17

2026 combine results:

  • Height: 5’11⅝”
  • Weight: 193 
  • Arm: 31⅜”
  • Wingspan: 74⅞”
  • Hand: 9″
  • 40-yard dash: 4.44
  • 10-yard split : 1.58
  • Vertical: 40.5″
  • Broad jump: 10’5″

2025 Statistical Overview

  • Completion rate: 52% 
  • Coverage yards allowed: 325 
  • Touchdowns allowed: 1 
  • Pass deflections: 6 
  • Interceptions: 1 
  • Penalties: 3
  • Missed tackle rate: 6.7%  

Scouting report

Hood is a classic contemporary boundary cornerback. A true junior, Hood filled the shutdown corner position as a true replacement for Jermod McCoy, who missed the entire 2025 season recovering from ACL surgery.

Hood is a versatile athlete and can fit into most any scheme; however, typically, a cornerback of Hood’s ability (complete with range, recovery speed, and hip fluidity) generally plays in man coverage regularly.

Hood does a good job of getting his head around and playing the ball effectively, as evidenced by his 6 PBUs and one interception during the 2025 season at Tennessee. He has shown he is a very willing tackler who can effectively help fit the run game from the flank as a willing and effective wrap tackler.

Hood does struggle with more physical WRs, so a season of an NFL strength and conditioning program would help him. He certainly has the frame to hold another 5-10 pounds.

Fit with New York Jets

Although Hood has a smaller physique than the typical cornerbacks who played under Glenn throughout his coaching career, his ball skills, high football IQ, and alpha mentality clearly outweigh these deficiencies.

Year-in and year-out, corners who can play both in press and off-coverage, have elite click-and-close ability, and make LB-type tackles are among the top 50 picks. Hood exemplifies all these traits well.

With the Jets being able to escape Brandon Stephens’ contract after the 2026 season, adding young depth at CB makes sense. In fact, Hood may be able to compete with Stephens for the starting position opposite Azareye’h Thomas.

The looming question is, how early do Glenn and Darren Mougey want to strike at the CB position? Especially when the three projected starters (Stephens, Thomas, and Jarvis Brownlee) are all “their guys”, i.e., players they targeted and brought on to the team?

Hood will most definitely cost the Jets one of their second-round picks at the very least. Looking to strengthen the long-term depth of a position is always a good thing, but it becomes a difficult proposition when you are staring at a roster with as many gaping holes as the Jets have, which is why Hood comes in at No. 50 despite being No. 17 on my big board.