Dallas Cowboys: Time for Malik Hooker to shine?
By Reid Hanson
When the Dallas Cowboys signed Malik Hooker to a one-year deal late in the offseason, fans didn’t know how to react. On one hand we had a former first round pick and NFL star, fall into their laps for next to nothing.
On the other hand, you had an injury plagued player who’s hasn’t played significant snaps since 2019. On another hand, you have a 25-year-old do-it-all play-maker. On yet another hand, you had at least three safeties positioned above him on the Dallas Cowboys depth chart.
Man, how many hands is that?
Malik Hooker came to the Dallas Cowboys for a chance to get up speed and eventually shine. The time for the latter may be now.
Since Week Two, the Dallas Cowboys have been slowly feeding Malik Hooker snaps at safety. Splitting time between box (47 snaps) and free (41 snaps) Quinn has been giving Hooker a steady dose of all the safety position has to offer. The many roles has prepared Hooker to develop as an alternate across the board.
Cowboys safety Malik Hooker said this is the best he has felt and played in a while. “I’m back out there having fun again. … For me to finally be back mentally, emotionally and physically where I am now, I couldn’t ask for better.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 15, 2021
After getting news Damontae Kazee was arrested for a DUI early Tuesday morning, the time for Hooker may be right now.
Dallas Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of drunk driving. https://t.co/SGjxXkEwmW
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 19, 2021
We don’t know what the future holds for Kazee, but there’s no love lost between Cowboys players and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. It’s not absurd to think the league could hand down a suspension at some point this season and leave Dallas without their top free safety.
The Dallas Cowboys could respond a number of different ways. Donovan Wilson is back and with Jayron Kearse playing so well in the box, Dallas could cover a short Kazee absence with Wilson, who’s arguably their top safety.
But if they want to focus on specialties, Hooker may be the perfect replacement to Kazee at free safety. Drafted out of Ohio State as a center field safety, Hooker often split time between single-high looks and split safety looks in Indy. He excelled in the former and could fill Kazee’s role straight-up if that’s how Dallas wants to deal with it.
At the end of the day, situations such as these is why you build depth across your roster. Wilson has been out virtually all season and now Kazee faces an uncertain future. If you recall, those were Dallas’ expected starting safeties.
The Dallas Cowboys have been fortunate with their depth this season. Players like Terence Steele, Connor McGovern, and Cedrick Wilson have all stepped up in relief. Perhaps Hooker is the next.
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What do you think? Will Malik Hooker get a bigger role on defense or will this season be mostly spot duty for the former star safety?
- Published on 10/20/2021 at 19:06 PM
- Last updated at 10/20/2021 at 19:06 PM