Kansas City Chiefs’ latest reported pre-draft visit sparks first-round 2026 NFL Draft cornerback speculation
The Kansas City Chiefs had Tennessee CB Colton Hood in for a pre-draft visit this week. It’s a fit that makes all the sense in the world.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL will wrap up pre-draft visit season on Wednesday. They’ll still be able to contact players virtually leading up to the draft, but they won’t be able to bring prospects to the team’s facility in Kansas City.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was first to report that Tennessee CB Colton Hood visited the Chiefs this week. He was one of the team’s final visits ahead of the Wednesday deadline, visiting early this week. Hood has also visited the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Hood measured 6 feet and 193 pounds. The 21-year-old ran a 4.44s 40-yard dash, jumped a 40.5-inch vertical, and a 125-inch broad jump at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He played at Auburn in 2023, Colorado in 2024, and Tennessee in 2025. He started 12 games last season, recording 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception (pick-six), eight passes defended, and a forced fumble. The performance earned him Third-Team All-SEC honors.
Hood is Steve Spagnuolo’s mold, playing a physical, feisty style. He has the size and length to play outside cornerback in the NFL. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Chiefs envision him playing nickel corner, too. He’s sticky in coverage and plays well through contact at the catch point. One thing that Dave Merritt will love is that he’s quick to diagnose pre-snap and attack downhill on quick throws.
Chiefs’ visit with Colton Hood gets first-round cornerback speculation going
The Chiefs have just six cornerbacks on the 90-man offseason roster after a mass exodus from the position group this offseason. The team traded away Trent McDuffie and lost Jaylen Watson and Josh Williams during free agency. Some have sent the team cornerbacks in mock drafts at pick No. 9 as a result, with LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy as popular picks.
The truth is that the Chiefs currently have Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams waiting in the wings as starters to replace guys like McDuffie and Watson. However, depth is a major concern for Kansas City. You’re probably not taking a player who could wind up as depth or a sub-package player with the No. 9 overall pick. However, at pick No. 29, that could be on the table. It’s especially appealing if you think he can take over as a full-time starter in 2027.
Hood’s currently ranked No. 31 on the consensus big board, teetering between the first and second rounds. He could be an option at pick No. 29, but if the Chiefs see the board as favorable, they could chance it and try to get him at pick No. 40 on Day 2.