3 players Cowboys can target now that Jamal Adams isn’t available

2. Malik Hooker, S, Indianapolis Colts

Hooker was rumored to be on the trade block ahead of the draft, but even with that the Colts pulled a bit of a surprise when they did not pick up his fifth-year option. The 15th overall pick in the 2017 draft has missed 14 games in three seasons. But when he’s on the field he has been very good, and he’s still only 24 years old.

After drafting Julian Blackmon in the third round of April’s draft, Colts general manager Chris Ballard was complementary of the rookie while downplaying Hooker’s performance last season.

Via Stephen Holder of The Athletic (subscription required).

“Malik was solid”, Ballard said. “Wouldn’t say he was great”….”And I thought he tailed off a little bit there at the end.” Along with durability concerns, there are apparently some questions about Hooker’s fit in Indianapolis’ defensive scheme. Ballard has essential placed a “For Sale” sign on him, with no rumored interest from other teams to this point. Rather than cross his fingers Hooker stays healthy into the season, Ballard may simply be waiting for a reasonable offer (or any offer at all?).

Hooker is making less than $2.2 million in base salary this year, with a cap hit just over $4 million. So the Cowboys can easily take him on, and perhaps they’d only have to offer up a middle round draft pick to get the Colts’ attention.