Now the longest-tenured member of the Dallas Cowboys protection, Malik Hooker has seen a variety of transition within the roster and training workers over the previous few years. He will likely be one among only a few gamers left who performed for Mike Zimmer in 2024, not to mention Dan Quinn earlier than him. How will the 30-year-old security fare below one more defensive coordinator in a time of sweeping change?
Years in NFL: 9Acquired by: Free company (2021)
Hooker was a extremely rated prospect popping out of Ohio State in 2017. The Colts chosen him fifteenth general in that draft regardless of present process surgical procedures in February, which brought on him to overlook many of the pre-draft course of. That very same restoration interval value him offseason exercise time earlier than coaching camp, after which he suffered a groin damage on the primary day of camp. Subsequent, a shoulder damage restricted him to only one preseason recreation. With so many absences, Hooker needed to come off the bench for his first regular-season recreation. When the starter bought harm in Week 1 he took over the job, however in Week 7 Hooker suffered a serious knee damage and was out for the yr.
That nine-month interval from earlier than the draft to that first huge damage set the unlucky tone for Hooker’s time in Indianapolis. He flashed some nice issues as a rookie, getting three interceptions in simply six begins. However whereas he performed 14 video games in 2018 and 13 the yr after, Hooker’s degree of play was hampered by minor accidents and absences alongside the way in which, plus the continued restoration from the most important rookie damage. Forward of the 2020 season, Indianapolis declined its fifth-year choice on Hooker for 2021 however nonetheless saved him because the starter for the ultimate yr of his rookie deal. In simply Week 2, Hooker’s season ended with a torn Achilles.
Unsurprisingly, the Colts didn’t re-sign Hooker in 2021 free company. He remained unsigned all through that spring, specializing in his rehab and attempting to get his physique proper for whichever workforce gave him a chance. That ended up being the Cowboys, who signed him proper as their coaching camp opened in late July.
Dallas was going by means of huge adjustments on protection that yr, having fired Mike Nolan after one disastrous season in 2020 and bringing in Dan Quinn. The protection room had already obtained consideration: Jayron Kearse and Damontae Kazee had been added as free brokers to hitch Donovan Wilson. Regardless of being a late addition, Hooker rapidly asserted himself and earned a roster spot. Earlier than lengthy, he and Kearse performed their method up the ladder and pushed Kazee, a Quinn man from the Falcons, into obscurity. Together with Wilson, they fashioned a three-headed security workforce that turned a powerful function of Dallas’ protection for just a few years.
Kearse would solely final a pair extra seasons in Dallas, with age and declining play resulting in him not being re-signed in 2024. Wilson lasted a pair extra years, however he stays a free agent this offseason with no indication he’s within the workforce’s plans going ahead. Hooker is the final surviving member of the trio, and he could also be becoming a member of Kearse and Wilson as “former Cowboys” within the close to future. He completed 2025 rated as one of many league’s worst beginning safeties, albeit partly as a product of enjoying on the again finish of a horrible protection general.
Some are stunned that Hooker isn’t already off the roster. However not solely has Dallas saved him below contract, however the deal’s been modified to extend Hooker’s job safety. It seems the veteran will likely be again in 2026, however seemingly for his final journey with the Cowboys.
Years Left: 12026 Cap Hit: $6.56 million
Going into the offseason, Hooker appeared ripe for changing into a wage cap casualty. Dallas may’ve cleared about $6.8 million by releasing him earlier than the ultimate yr of his contract. However with Wilson and Juanyeh Thomas already in free company, that may’ve left them with solely Markquese Bell as the one skilled security below contract.
As an alternative, Dallas and Hooker reworked the deal to create about $2 million in cap house. Hooker conceded to a decrease wage and extra incentive-based compensation, however received extra safety with elevated assured cash. The Cowboys would now solely get a bit of over $1 million in cap aid in the event that they launch him, consuming $5.5 million in useless cash.
Position: Backup SRoster Probability: 90%
Given the shift in assured cash, Hooker now appears extremely seemingly for a roster spot. That rework was finished on March ninth, earlier than free company started and effectively earlier than the draft. Would Dallas have finished it in the event that they’d recognized they had been going to land Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs throughout the subsequent two months? Perhaps not, however Hooker was an insurance coverage coverage towards offseason unknowns.
The Cowboys now have a seeming surplus of security expertise going into camp. Together with Thompson and Downs, Dallas additionally signed veteran P.J. Locke. And whereas Hooker and Bell are the important thing holdovers from final yr, Alijah Clark continues to be round. Julius Wooden, a third-year prospect from the apply squad, was additionally re-signed. Clearly, when the music stops in late August, a few of these guys received’t have a chair on the 53.
Along with his assured cash, Hooker’s seat feels reserved. Not solely has he been with the workforce longer than another defender, however he’s one of many oldest gamers on the roster general. That veteran management is valued, and he needs to be a stable match within the two-high security appears to be like that Christian Parker is anticipated to lean on.
Regardless of his standing and expertise, Hooker might be going to be coming off the bench within the base scheme. Jalen Thompson was signed to start out, and Caleb Downs ought to begin alongside him. When Hooker in all probability sees probably the most work is in nickel formations when Downs strikes right down to play slot nook.
Why aren’t we giving Hooker a 100% likelihood of constructing the roster? He’s nonetheless 30, and enjoying for his fourth defensive coordinator in six seasons. If the veteran doesn’t regulate effectively, Locke and Bell are proper there to doubtlessly take benefit. And if youthful prospects like Clark or Wooden make huge pushes, Dallas may nonetheless simply eat the useless cash and maintain one among them utilizing the $1 million saved. In the long run, it’s nonetheless about the identical cash for a single roster spot. Simply with a unique title on the jersey.
However once more, we anticipate Malik Hooker to get another yr as an skilled backup, perhaps even a pseudo-starter in nickel, and a veteran presence. Subsequent yr appears fairly unlikely, given the place he’s at in his profession and the brand new duo of Thompson and Downs. However as his time in Dallas ends, hopefully Hooker can play a significant half in serving to this protection enhance.
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