Packers get a rising player from the Vols to solve huge need in latest two-round mock draft
Colton Hood would solve a lot of issues in Green Bay.
The Green Bay Packers decided to go with a weak-link approach to the cornerback position, betting on players like Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine to be capable starters without spending too much money or draft capital like the franchise had done in the past.
In fairness, Nixon has been exactly what the Packers need. However, Hobbs and Valentine haven’t played at such a comforting level, and the Dallas Cowboys last week was the perfect encapsulation of how the secondary issues can affect the entire defense — the defensive front didn’t have enough time to get the quarterback before the opposing receivers had created separation.
That’s what Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports’ National College Football Writer, tried to solve in his latest two-round mock draft.
Smart use of resources
The Packers don’t have a first-round pick in 2026, which they traded away to the Cowboys to acquire Micah Parsons in August. But general manager Brian Gutekunst has been smart and effective to find impactful players on Days 2 and 3. With the 56th overall pick on this mock, the Packers would select Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
A 6-0, 195-pound cornerback, Hood has the physical profile that would philosophically entice the Packers.
This is what Zach Ragan, our Tennessee Vols’ beat writer, detailed about Hood.
“Hood, who transferred from Colorado to Tennessee during the spring portal window, has been one of the Volunteers’ most important players early this season (especially with cornerback Jermod McCoy still out).
“The Georgia native has scored two defensive touchdowns for Tennessee so far this season, including a huge pick six in the Vols’ 41-34 overtime win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs last weekend.”
Impressive start
Hood has played five games at Tennessee. So far, he’s had five passes defended, an interception, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Converting to NFL standard stats, he has allowed a 40.9 passer rating when targeted.
So far, Colton Hood has played primarily as a boundary corner, with 317 snaps outside. He also has 14 snaps in the box, five in the slot, and one as a deep safety.
The Packers haven’t spent a draft pick before the seventh round on a cornerback since taking Eric Stokes in the first round back in 2021. But considering how the defense has performed this season, and the secondary in particular, going back to valuing the cornerback position might be the way to go for Gutekunst and Green Bay.
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