Malik Hooker Enters 2017 NFL Draft, is he a First Round Option for Chicago Bears?
Will star safety Malik Hooker be an option for the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft?
The Chicago Bears could go in many different directions in the 2017 NFL Draft. They have some obvious needs on both sides of the ball, but more than anything, this team needs play-makers. The Bears currently hold the third overall selection, putting them in a great situation to add a play-maker one way or another.
Guys like Jonathan Allen, Deshaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky continue to come up when talking about first round options for the Bears, but a new name may have just entered into the mix. On Tuesday, Ohio State safety Malik Hooker entered the 2017 NFL Draft class, and he could be an early target for the Bears.
Hooker only started for one season at Ohio State, but oh what a year it was. As a redshirt sophomore, Hooker piled up 74 tackles and seven interceptions. Three of those picks were returned for touchdowns. Hooker is a dynamic play-maker from the safety position and was a unanimous first-team All American in 2016.
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The Bears have an obvious need in the secondary. Their cornerback situation is ugly and their mix at safety may be even worse. Simply put, they need multiple plays to add to the mix in the defensive backfield to become a respectable unit.
Hooker is only one guy, but adding his dynamic play-making to the mix as a coverage safety would be huge. He shows incredible range as a deep safety, consistently making plays that he should have no business making. Hooker also shows elite ball skills and the ability to defend in man-to-man coverage.
Not a believer in Hooker’s talent? Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah compares Hooker to Baltimore Ravens future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. That kind of comparison speaks for itself.
Just finished studying Malik Hooker...the Ed Reed comps are accurate. He's a very special player.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 1, 2017
Hooker is undoubtedly a revolutionary talent who would immediately make a huge difference for the Bears at a major position of need. Drafting a safety at number three overall may be considered a reach by some, but when he is as good as Hooker, it is worth it.
The Bears have a strong defensive front seven. There is a lot to like about what they have up front. That being said, their secondary is a major concern. Hooker would not solve all of their problems, but he would certainly hide some of them.
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He is a special player with massive upside at the next level. Even if it is in a trade down scenario, the Chicago Bears should target Malik Hooker in the 2017 NFL Draft.