Colton Hood is not hiding.
The Giants’ plan to slowly integrate their highly touted second-round rookie cornerback was derailed by injury one week into the season.
“He’s been baptized by fire,” defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said.
Initiations into the NFL don’t get any more difficult than defending Matthew Stafford throwing to Davante Adams in your first career start. But Hood also allowed Wan’Dale Robinson’s touchdown last game.
None of it has made Hood any less coachable, passionate or willing to work, in the eyes of the Giants. In a strange way, an early test of adversity has told them more about Hood than they would otherwise have known.
“I’m quite sure that Colton Hood is going to be a really great player for us,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “I’ll bet you he plays better the next game than he did the last game. So, I’m not down on him at all. I’m actually kind of excited for him.”
Hood has allowed 11 catches on 15 targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns over three games, according to NextGenStats. Opposing quarterbacks have a 132.2 rating when throwing at him.
“I’m encouraged by, just watching the film, none of it is, ‘This guy is just better than me and beat me,’ ” Hood told The Post. “It’s more just seeing things for the first time and processing things post-snap. It’s just that I’m at a different level and learning how to combat those things. The routes in the league are different, you have to adjust to the depth. And the coverages, you have to understand not just your job but the people around you’s job so you can play tighter.”
Hood was supposed to be eased in behind starters Greg Newsome II and Deonte Banks as well as top backup Paulson Adebo. But Banks and Adebo have missed the last two games, which prematurely elevated Hood.
“What I’ve noticed from him from that [first] game to the last game, those same mistakes didn’t happen,” Wilson said. “The best teacher in life is not being successful early on. So, he’s going to continue to keep growing. And, for us, if young guys can play early, it builds more depth down the stretch. He’ll take his licks early on, but he’ll learn from it. So, I’m good with where he’s at.”
The Giants never were involved in the Joey Porter Jr. trade sweepstakes, The Post has learned, though league sources indicated that this week’s trade for quarterback J.J. McCarthy might not be the end of their aggressiveness. The cornerback market underneath Porter — who went from the Steelers to the Cowboys — is a place to look.
“I probably don’t grade it quite the way you do, but I thought he’s improved each game,” Harbaugh said. “And that’s really, to me, the definer. I mean, it’s a big stage. It’s a tough position. … So, I think he’s done pretty good.”
Hood feels the vote of confidence.
“I just have to go out there and do what I do,” Hood said. “My confidence is still at its peak. I’m learning as I’m going. It’s always important to seize every opportunity you get — no matter when it is or how it comes.”
