Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 210 pounds
School: Iowa Hawkeyes
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
Bench press: 14 reps
Vertical jump: 37 inches (fifth-best among safeties)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 3 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.81 seconds (second-best among safeties)
20-yard shuttle: 4.10 seconds (fourth-best among safeties)
Amani Hooker 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Iowa safety Amani Hooker opted to forego his senior year of eligibility and enter the 2019 NFL Draft. Hooker was one of the best safeties in football last season, finishing the year with four interceptions, seven passes defended, one sack, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 65 total tackles. His strong play earned him Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honors and his 91.1 coverage grade was second-best among defensive backs, according to Pro Football Focus.
Hooker was a three-time All-Minnesota winner out of high school for his work on both offense and defense. Transitioning to a full-time defensive role, Hooker spent most of his true freshman season working on special teams. Hooker spent minimal time on defense, recording four total tackles without a pass breakup, interception, or sack.
Earning a full-time role in 2017, Hooker emerged as one of the better playmakers on Iowa’s defense as a sophomore. While he missed some time with a bruised knee, Hooker still managed to end his year with two interceptions, 56 tackles, and two pass breakups. He returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown and was a positive all-around defender. In total, Hooker ended his college career with six interceptions, nine passes defended, one sack, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and 125 tackles.
Strengths
- elite ability to cover tight ends in man coverage;
- hybrid safety capable of making big plays against the run and the pass;
- smart defender capable of diagnosing route concepts as they develop;
- good ball skills with top-speed capable of going the other way;
- shifty player capable of mirroring lateral movement;
- plus run defender who isn’t overmatched in the box.
Weaknesses
- out of position as a deep safety;
- bites on play action more than one would like;
- has a habit of undercutting routes can come back to bite when he misses the ball;
- recovery speed could use improvement;
- tested in the sixth percentile for arm length.
NFL Comparison: Patrick Chung
Teams With Need at Position: Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys
Projection: Rounds two to three
Bottom Line
Opinions on Hooker will vary dramatically depending on what scheme he’s in. When serving as a “big nickel” linebacker/safety hybrid, it’s hard to find a better fit in this class. Hooker thrives in the short portion of the field and is one of the best in the nation at matching up against tight ends. He knows where the opposing offense wants to go with the ball and is capable of undercutting routes with his high-level anticipation. While that does get him in trouble sometimes, he’s usually able to make a play when he jumps routes. Factor in strong play against the run and it’s easy to see Hooker lasting in the NFL.
Hooker won’t be nearly as productive if a team asks him to be a deep zone safety. Despite boasting borderline-top speed, Hooker’s subpar backpedaling doesn’t allow for him to cover a deep part of the zone. While he typically knows where the ball is going to go, he’s not always in a position to stop it in the deep portions of the field.
Ultimately, a smart coaching staff could transform Hooker into a longtime NFL starter. He’s no Jamal Adams, but Hooker’s ability to play physical coverage against tight ends will always have value in the NFL. Hooker could easily start as a rookie or be the first defensive back off the bench.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
