Cowboys reportedly will sign free-agent safety Malik Hooker

Hooker was the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, thought to be a true ball-hawking free safety who could transform the Indianapolis Colts’ secondary. Unfortunately, injuries have been the biggest storyline of Hooker’s career to date.

The 25-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL as a rookie, missed five games over the subsequent two years and played just two contests in 2020 due to a torn Achilles.

Because of his inability to stay healthy and resultant failure to live up to his draft billing, Indianapolis declined the fifth-year option on Hooker’s rookie contract. Now, he’ll have a long-awaited second chance with America’s Team just as Dallas gears up for training camp.

There’s a reason Hooker was held in such high regard as a prospect. Pro Football Focus actually had him ranked eighth on its final 2017 big board, ahead of NFL star defenders such as Tre’Davious White, Haason Reddick and Marlon Humphrey.

Outside of 2019 sixth-round pick Donovan Wilson, the Cowboys’ safety group doesn’t hold much promise. They’re transitioning to a new defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn, whose base Cover 3 scheme relies on a savvy deep safety who thrives in coverage.

Hooker’s skillset seems to be a great match. Even with his faults and injury issues, he still does have seven interceptions and 11 passes defensed in 36 NFL games. In his final year at Ohio State, Hooker logged seven INTs and three pick-sixes.

Dallas’ defensive backfield is counting on a lot of young talent between cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Kelvin Joseph, not to mention another rookie first-rounder in linebacker Micah Parsons.

Getting a change of scenery and a vote of confidence from the Cowboys might be what Hooker needs to revitalize his career. He can also help some of Dallas’ younger players manage early expectations and potentially fulfill his previously presumed destiny of an elite, turnover-generating machine.

For a Dallas defense that tied for the fifth-fewest interceptions (10) last season, Hooker is the perfect low-risk, high-reward flier to take as the team looks to rally back around quarterback Dak Prescott and an offense that should be among the NFL’s elite.