Where will free agent Malik Hooker sign?

By: Chris Moore (Twitter: @fantasy_moore)

Malik Hooker has been a playmaking safety for the Indianapolis Colts ever since he entered the NFL. But, injuries have plagued Hookers promising young NFL career, and he is now to be a free agent this offseason. The Colts have found their new star at the safety position in Julian Blackmon. Therefore, they declined Hooker’s fifth-year option, and Hooker will be playing in another jersey in 2021.

So, what does the former 2017 first-round pick bring to an organization? Hooker has shown when he is healthy, he is still a quality safety that can provide reliable coverage over the middle of the field. I expect Hooker to receive a one-year prove-it deal with another NFL team this offseason. Hooker will be a low-risk, high-reward player in free agency. Expect multiple NFL teams to be interested in the former first-rounder.  Let’s get into my top three destinations for Malik Hooker in 2021.

Malik Hooker Career Stats

Seven interceptions  

11 passes defended

Two fumbles recovered

81 solo tackles

124 combined tackles

Jacksonville Jaguars

I’m not sure if most of you are aware, but the Jaguars are a match made in heaven for Malik Hooker. Not only will Hooker face the former team that gave up on him twice a year if he signs with the Jaguars, but he will also be playing for his former college coach Urban Meyer. The last time Hooker played for Meyer, they won an NCAA Championship together.

 The Jaguars can also upgrade the safety position, and Hooker won’t be expensive in free agency. While money isn’t an issue for the Jaguars with around $77 million in cap space, spending low on Hooker can provide the team to break the bank for other stars. Hooker is still only 24 years old; Meyer can rejuvenate his star college safety career again.

San Francisco 49ers

In one of my other articles, I talked about how I would love to see Malik Hooker join the 49ers. Like Hooker, we have seen a promising young defensive who suffered from injuries rejuvenating his career in San Francisco. The 49ers took a chance on Jason Verrett, and it worked wonders for them. Verrett had a great 2020 season, and he is now going to be heavily coveted by teams this offseason. I could see something similar happening to Hooker if he went to the 49ers.

 The 49ers will have an opening at the safety position, with Jaquiski Tartt most likely leaving in free agency. The 49ers won’t have to break the bank to bring in Hooker either. The 49ers have several key free agents they need to focus on bringing back, and they won’t have money to break big on safety.

The 49ers currently have around $13 million in cap space. Hooker would be a low-risk, high-reward player for the 49ers, who still has upside. Hooker has a chance to go to San Francisco and get his career back on the right path.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders appear to be a fascinating destination for Malik Hooker in 2021. There’s no question the Raider’s defense needs to improve in 2021, and adding a new playmaker to the secondary would be a massive step in the right direction for the Raiders. The Raiders are heading into 2021 with new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

Bradley comes from Seattle, whose defense was notoriously known as the legion of boom. The Seahawks defense consisted of Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor at the safety positions. Both were known for being ball hawk safeties who were great at attacking the football.

The Raiders already have Jonathan Abram on the roster for one of their safety spots. Adding a playmaker like Malik Hooker could be an excellent decision for the Raider’s defense. A young safety tandem of Jonathan Abram and Malik Hooker sounds promising if they both can stay healthy. The move would make a lot of sense, as Bradley and the Raiders are looking for a player to fill the “Earl Thomas role.”

Considering Hooker has recorded seven interceptions throughout three seasons, he could be exactly what the Raiders are looking for.  With around $18 million in cap space, the Raiders have more than enough money to get a deal done with Hooker if they want him.