New York Giants fans gave the team good grades for their Day 2 selections of cornerback Colton Hood in Round 2 and wide receiver Malachi Fields in Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Forty-nine percent of voters thus far in our poll have given the choice of Hood, who will compete with Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome for a starting role, at No. 37, an ‘A’ grade.Forty-three percent of voters gave the pick a ‘B.’
The Giants pulled a surprise in Round 3, where they did not have a selection after the 2025 trade to select quarterback Jaxson Dart. They packed their fourth- and fifth-round picks (Nos. 105 and 145) and a 2026 fourth-round pick, to move to No. 74 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns, and selected wide receiver Malachi Fields.
Thirty-eight percent of voters gave that move an ‘A’, and 43% a ‘B.’
Both polls are still open, so be sure to cast your vote.
Hood, who was a frequent name in Round 1 mocks, was a very good value early in Round 2. He gives the Giants a true cover corner, someone who has the speed and confidence to challenge the league’s top receivers. The team could have selected a DT to fill the void left by Dexter Lawrence’s recent departure, but Hood offered better value than the available interior D-linemen still on the board.
The Giants traded their original third-round pick this year in their move up for Jaxson Dart in 2025. With the way Dart played in Year 1, and the hope he’s already injected into the franchise, that investment seems to be paying off.
New York sent fourth- and fifth-round picks this year and a fourth-rounder next year to get back into Round 3 for Fields … that’s a lot of draft capital for a receiver without suddenness and long speed to separate from NFL defenders. That said, Fields offers unique contested-catch ability and should benefit from playing alongside Malik Nabers.
The Giants continue to make a case for the best draft of 2026. Hood was a first-round talent at a position of need, and the Giants plucked him in Round 2. He should be an immediate starter.
A huge wide receiver, Fields (6-4, 220) is a big weapon who can sink and move in and out of breaks like a smaller athlete. He’s very agile and plays under control, but he does lack physicality for his size.
Hood fills a need with value for the Giants. He’s a potential starter with man coverage upside, which the Giants needed to add. With Deonte Banks disappointing so far, this became a bigger priority.
His skill set as a zone beater could allow Malik Nabers to be his best version. Fields is relatively new to the WR position after playing QB in high school, but that shows up in his game as a smart player with versatility.
Good value here for New York, which has an underwhelming collection of cornerbacks. Hood is more of a long-term investment than an immediate solution, but he can match up with bigger receivers who threaten defenses downfield. But with no defensive tackle here and a potential run at the position coming, the Giants need to find some value later on or hit the post-draft veteran free agent market.
At 6-5, Fields has a proven track record in go-up-and-get-it scenarios, which Jaxson Dart will no doubt seek out. But Fields will have to expand his comfort zone beyond vertical routes, as he lacks adequate separation skills.
Viewed as a press-man cover corner at 193 pounds, Hood brings physicality while also running a 4.44 40-yard dash. In a draft loaded with corners, including teammate Jermod McCoy, Hood stands out for all the boxes he checks.
How he fits with the Giants: New York needed to upgrade its corner spot opposite Paulson Adebo. The Giants have seemingly struck out with 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks, who played only 44% of their defensive snaps last year. Hood is the third corner off the board and presents an immediate fixture in the secondary for new coordinator Dennard Wilson, who prioritizes physical coverage.
How he fits with the Giants: New York gave up picks in this year’s and next year’s drafts to get back into the third round for Fields. He projects as a boundary receiver who will play opposite Malik Nabers once he’s fully recovered from a torn ACL sustained in September of last season.