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Chicago Bears 2017 draft position profiles: Safeties

By Carlos Nazario

Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) is seen during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) is seen during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Malik Hooker, Ohio State (6-foot-2, 208 pounds)

Okay, how opposing quarterbacks got anything done against Ohio State’s defensive backs is beyond me. Well, Clemson found a way, I guess.

I profiled the two outstanding cornerbacks for Ohio State. They also have free safety Malik Hooker.

Hooker has the combination of speed, athletic ability, and ball skills that draws comparisons to Ed Reed. I’m not sure if I’m ready to go there just yet, but Hooker is an excellent prospect.

Hooker is a turnover machine on the field. In 2016, he had 7 interceptions, and 3 of them were pick-sixes. Boy, how nice would it be to have a player like that in a Chicago Bears uniform?

The tape on Hooker is short. He only started one season at Ohio State. He is also relatively raw when it comes to football. His first love was basketball. He didn’t start football until his junior year at high school.

While at Ohio State, Hooker struggled. He redshirted in 2014, then spent 2015 on special teams. He almost quit, but his mother did not allow it. In 2016, he started at safety and now scouts are drooling over him.

As a centerfielder, Hooker has great range. He anticipates well. and gets to the ball well. He is a hard hitter, and he can separate the ball from the carrier. Sometimes, however, he relies on shoulder hits and doesn’t finish by wrapping up.

Hooker’s ball-hawking abilities have him where he is now. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks him number two in his Top-50 prospect list.

"Hooker is a tall, rangy safety prospect with incredible instincts. He usually lines up as the high safety and he has an uncanny ability to anticipate throws, drive on the ball, and finish. He is ultra-fluid in his change of direction and has the ability to match up with tight ends in man coverage. He has the best ball skills of any safety I’ve ever evaluated in college. He is also a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Against the run, he is quick to key, read and fill the alley. He does have some fly-by missed tackles, but overall he’s reliable in this area. Hooker has the potential to be one of the league’s best safeties very early in his NFL career."

Next: Jonathan Allen can transform the Bears defensive line

Hooker’s stock is sky high at the moment, but I’m not sure the Bears take a chance on someone that raw early in the draft. On the other hand, if he is available on night one, the urge to take him may be too difficult to overcome.

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