2017 NFL Mock Draft: Wild Card Edition
By Tyler Brooke
Malik Hooker
S, Ohio State
Chris Conte and Brad McDougald aren’t exactly a dynamic duo in the secondary for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers could use a legitimate safety to make plays and give Vernon Hargreaves and the rest of the team’s cornerbacks someone to trust behind them.
Although Ohio State’s Malik Hooker has said that he plans to return to school next season, that could change if the Buckeyes wind up winning the national championship. Hooker has first-round talent written all over him, and that’s not something that he’s going to be overlooking.
Hooker has some of the best ball skills of any defensive back in this draft class and does a great job of reading the quarterback’s eyes to see where the play is going. He has great range with the speed and fluid hips to cover the entire field.
The biggest problem for Hooker is making open-field tackles, which may be why he wants to go back to school. Still, if Hooker declares and he’s available, the Buccaneers probably won’t hesitate to draft him.
Hooker said following Ohio State’s loss to Clemson that he’s uncertain about his future, so I’m keeping him on my mock drafts until he makes a firm decision one way or another.