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Originally posted by Lobo49er:NFC scout, who has been in the NFL for decades:
"My favorite player in this draft, (Ohio State safety) Malik Hooker. I feel pretty strongly that when we look back at this draft, we will talk about him as maybe the best player in it."
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Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
Nice work, I rewatched that game and had similar thoughts I've posted on this thread. I think inconsistent is certainly the right word to describe his tackling. Bear in mind he has a sports hernia or maybe two and a torn hip labrum in this game!
Originally posted by adrianlesnar:Originally posted by tohara3:Would love to have Derwin James on the 49ers! Trade back this year & get a extra 1st for next year to get that kid
Wait so, the argument is safeties don't get drafted at 2 (not saying you argued this) and there are people wanting to use TWO 1st rounders to gg a safety? The difference between hooker and James is that we are in a position to get hooker this year and there's no guarantee we will be in a position to get james next year and that's if he even declares for the draft in the first place.
Can use a 1st next year on a sweat, or hubbard, or Tavarus McFadden, or a Lt such as Ivey, or a QB...
Originally posted by 49erphan:Originally posted by 49erBigMac:Nice work, I rewatched that game and had similar thoughts I've posted on this thread. I think inconsistent is certainly the right word to describe his tackling. Bear in mind he has a sports hernia or maybe two and a torn hip labrum in this game!
In case it wasn't clear - I didn't make the video, I just stumbled on it. Hooker is a ball hawk and willing to charge toward wherever the ball is and a willing tackler but on occasion he mis-anticipates and/or misjudges something and misses in a bit of an ugly way.
#TBT to when @MalikHooker24 leveled a 325 lb lineman! pic.twitter.com/USYWLv5RXE
— Buckeye Videos+ (@BuckeyeVideos) April 13, 2017
Malik Hooker's ball skills are ridiculous for a center field safety. He's the one NFL teams have been waiting for pic.twitter.com/bZVIlfbQws
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 22, 2017
Originally posted by Lobo49er:
The first defensive draft pick Carroll made to install his Defense? Earl Thomas. Why?
Malik Hooker is a similar talent to Ed Reed
https://www.fanragsports.com/nfl/whoever-drafts-malik-hooker-set-draw-comparisons-ed-reed/
"Is Malik Hooker the next Ed Reed? First off, comparing players who have never played a snap in the NFL to Hall of Famers isn't a practice that any analyst should feel comfortable with. In a way, that is a discredit to the amazing things Reed did on the field during his outstanding NFL career.
However, in this case, the comparison is valid. Hooker and Reed have a similar style of safety play. Both have the rare ability to roam the middle of the field in a single high safety look. Whether it is a Cover 1 or Cover 3 shell, having a center-fielding safety with extreme range and playmaking skills makes the entire defense far more potent in many capacities.
Just think of what Earl Thomas has done for the Seahawks defense since he joined the league.
Because of Thomas, Seattle has consistently been able to dedicate an extra player to the box.
Despite the huge need for cornerbacks in today's NFL, Seattle has used very little draft capital on cornerbacks. This has been an extreme advantage for the Seahawks in building and maintaining their great defensive run of late. Since 2011, Seattle used the 154th pick on Richard Sherman in that draft, a sixth-rounder on Jeremy Lane in 2012, and in 2013, they drafted Tharold Simon in the fifth round.
It is amazing that Seattle could maintain a great pass defense despite basically ignoring [the CB] position since 2012. Having Thomas made that possible. Hooker conceivably could do something similar for his new team.
Malik Hooker's ball skills are ridiculous for a center field safety. He's the one NFL teams have been waiting for pic.twitter.com/bZVIlfbQws
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 22, 2017
So there is no denying the importance of an elite deep middle safety. Players such as Thomas, Reed and Hooker eliminate mistakes from the other 10 defenders. What should a team expect if they were to add Hooker in the early portion of the first round?
First, let's discuss the negatives. Hooker isn't exactly a trained killer as a tackler or hitter and doesn't offer all that much against the run, although that might not come into play as often as it would for other safeties because of how far Hooker will be playing off the line of scrimmage. He is a finesse player in the physical aspects of the game but also can be overly aggressive attacking the run downhill and is prone to taking poor angles. In reality, he isn't a very good or consistent tackler, which is worrisome for the last layer of defense. He also could stand to add more muscle to his frame, which should come with age.
Also, Hooker is only a one-year starter at Ohio State. Of course, that is about as competitive of a college as there is in the country, but it still only gives evaluators limited tape to watch.
Lastly, there are concerns about shoulder and hernia injuries. Because of these ailments, Hooker has not been able to work out for scouts in this pre-draft process. The tape shows no concerns about his speed, quickness, change of direction or any athletic limitations whatsoever, but of course, it would be nice to have the numbers to confirm what is pretty obvious on tape. Hooker played with these injuries late in the season and still showed rare range. Few safeties change directions or play as fast as Hooker. Again, this is similar to Reed.
In high school, football was secondary to basketball for Hooker. He is late to the party in this sport, which could be looked at as a positive or negative when evaluating him going forward. His mental processing might take a little time. But, on the other hand, what Hooker showed in just one season with his ability to read quarterbacks and attack the ball in the air is rather amazing when considering how little he has played. Just wait until he refines his technique.
He was an ace special teamer in 2015 before taking over as the starter a year ago. It might not be common knowledge anymore, but Reed was quite possibly the premier punt- and kick-blocker of his generation.
While he wasn't a starter, practice reports on Hooker as a defensive player were legendary before he became Ohio State's starting free safety.
Hooker intercepted 7 passes last year and returned 3 for touchdowns. He is great with the ball in his hands — a trait he certainly shares with Reed.
While Hooker might not be as elite in this capacity, there are similarities. And with Hooker's basketball background, you can see where his outstanding ball skills came from.
He covers an insane amount of space in deep coverage. Hooker is an elite athlete with elite ball skills and ability to close on the football.
He can carry the deep post routes against speedy wide receivers as well play man coverage against athletic tight ends, although more technique could be required in this area at the NFL level because of the level of receiving tight ends that he will face.
When you weigh the pros and cons with Hooker, the positive column is far stronger. When looking at the top of this draft, assuming his injuries are not a drawback, it would be surprising if Hooker were to get past the Chargers (who are switching to a Seahawks-type scheme) selection at No. 7 overall.
In fact, you could make a very serious argument that San Francisco should consider him second overall. The Bears should have great interest with the third pick, and the Jets should be even more enamored at the sixth overall pick.
No matter where Hooker ends up, the Reed comparisons will follow him — rightfully so."
Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:
Malik Hooker arguably is the best day one starter on D and a 3 down player. Ward stays at CB. Secondary is complete. I think that's the bottom line for us considering him in the first. Trade down or not.
Originally posted by Lobo49er:Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:Malik Hooker arguably is the best day one starter on D and a 3 down player. Ward stays at CB. Secondary is complete. I think that's the bottom line for us considering him in the first. Trade down or not.
And, his range allows us to play 8 in the box, so he impacts the front as well as the secondary. One pick improves the entire D. Pair him with Lawson as our second pick.
Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:
Originally posted by Lobo49er:
Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:
Malik Hooker arguably is the best day one starter on D and a 3 down player. Ward stays at CB. Secondary is complete. I think that's the bottom line for us considering him in the first. Trade down or not.
And, his range allows us to play 8 in the box, so he impacts the front as well as the secondary. One pick improves the entire D. Pair him with Lawson as our second pick.
These are the statements I hope a knowledged football fan should know but yes,of course lol.
Webzone threads and hating can easily go in a circle.. I saw on a thread a dude that didn't know Redmond was considered a first rounder before his injury and didn't watch him play in pre-season. So you have guys that don't know what's going on,the haters salivate and jump on that posters post and completely poop on it cause they're not pro bowlers yet lol.
Originally posted by Lobo49er:Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:Originally posted by Lobo49er:Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:Malik Hooker arguably is the best day one starter on D and a 3 down player. Ward stays at CB. Secondary is complete. I think that's the bottom line for us considering him in the first. Trade down or not.
And, his range allows us to play 8 in the box, so he impacts the front as well as the secondary. One pick improves the entire D. Pair him with Lawson as our second pick.
These are the statements I hope a knowledged football fan should know but yes,of course lol.
Webzone threads and hating can easily go in a circle.. I saw on a thread a dude that didn't know Redmond was considered a first rounder before his injury and didn't watch him play in pre-season. So you have guys that don't know what's going on,the haters salivate and jump on that posters post and completely poop on it cause they're not pro bowlers yet lol.
lol, that doesn't sound like the Webzone
Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:Hahahahahahaha.Hey on the real doe,Lobo... If you had to rate Hooker on a scale of 1 to 10 what do you give him as a FS. Then on the same scale,how do you rate Peppers,Baker,Williams? Curious to see your ratings to possibly set you up for a follow up question.
Originally posted by illinois9er:Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:Hahahahahahaha.Hey on the real doe,Lobo... If you had to rate Hooker on a scale of 1 to 10 what do you give him as a FS. Then on the same scale,how do you rate Peppers,Baker,Williams? Curious to see your ratings to possibly set you up for a follow up question.
Hooker is a 12.4