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New York Jets: Should Malik Hooker Be In Cards At No. 6 In 2017 NFL Draft?

By Stephen Smith

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Malik Hooker who is a projected number one draft pick did not participate in drills and watches from the sidelines during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Malik Hooker who is a projected number one draft pick did not participate in drills and watches from the sidelines during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets have the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft—should they select safety Malik Hooker at that spot?

The New York Jets face a very important decision with their first-round selection (sixth overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft at the end of April. Full disclosure, I recently wrote that Gang Green should select Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson with that pick if he is still available. The kid is a winner and I think Watson is going to be a star in the NFL. Plus, the perpetual need at quarterback for the Jets continues.

However, if Watson is off the board, New York should seriously consider drafting safety Malik Hooker of Ohio State.

It’s expected that the top-rated safety, Jamal Adams of LSU, will be selected in the first few picks in the first round. In recent mock drafts, three analysts from NFL.com have Hooker going seventh  overall to the Los Angeles Chargers. He could very well be available when the Jets are on the clock and Hooker would be a welcome addition indeed.

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The New Castle, PA native had a tremendous season for the Buckeyes last year, earning All-American and All-Big Ten honors with seven interceptions, 74 tackles (including 5.5 for loss) and four passes broken up. Those seven interceptions tied him for second in the NCAA. There is no doubt that Hooker was one of the main reasons the 11-2 Buckeyes earned a spot in the College Football Playoff.

So what skill set would Hooker bring to New York? Aside from his hard-hitting tackling ability, Hooker is known for his excellent instincts and coverage prowess. Although he had just one full season of experience at Ohio State, Hooker is a raw talent with huge upside—and the Jets can use as many players with upside as possible as they reshape their roster.

Draftwire gave this scouting report on the 6-1, 206-pounder:

"He’s not the polished, NFL-ready product Adams is, but Hooker’s elite combination of range, athleticism and ball skills is rare enough to make him worthy of a top-10 pick. Even in a deep class (and with some concerns about his consistency as a tackler), Hooker is a top prospect in this group."

The Jets struggled in their secondary last season, ranking 17th in the league by allowing 243.6 passing yards per game, including 30 touchdown passes. That poor performance had them tied with Miami and San Francisco for 25th place in the NFL. Improvement in that area is obviously necessary. That’s where Hooker comes in.

Next: Are Jets 'Tanking' For Sam Darnold in 2018?

Safeties Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist had down years for Gang Green last year so if the Jets select Hooker they will immediately strengthen a glaring need in their defensive backfield.

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