The way things are going, the Cowboys may make another move in free agency during the preseason. It is about signing safety Malik Hooker, a player they had already had in their sights for a few months but had not been able to materialize. Of course, there are a myriad of reasons why the move hadn’t been made long before.
The first thing to note is that this is Hooker’s second visit to the cowboy facility. His first opportunity would be in the month of March, along with other elements of the position such as Damontae Kazee and Jayron Kearse. In the case of the latter two, they ended up staying in the organization, while Malik would remain as a free agent. Of course, with this second visit there are strong chances that the safety will stay in the franchise for the next season.
Free agent S Malik Hooker is visiting the Cowboys for a second time this offseason. And this time, the pairing should stick. As long as everything checks out physically, team is expected to sign Hooker, source said. He’d make a full 90-man roster.
– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 23, 2021
However, although the organization is almost certain to sign the defensive back, it has yet to pass the physical tests. You have to take into consideration that the big problem that Malik has had during his short career in the NFL has been injuries. In fact, the Colts, the team that selected him in the first round of the 2017 Draft, declined the fifth-year option for the player. And during the 2020 campaign in the Colts’ win over the Vikings on September 20, Hooker tore his Achilles tendon. That would be it for the Indianapolis organization to let him go at the end of the season.
Now, at just 25 years old, it can be said without a doubt that Malik would be a more relevant free agent if it weren’t for the injury section. Being totally healthy, he is a threat in the position, as his numbers between 2018 and 2019 can well indicate. During those couple of years, he ended up starting 27 games. Posting 95 combined tackles, seven passes defended, four interceptions and two recovered balls. So the Cowboys don’t want to write him off because they know they have a diamond in hand. You just have to stay healthy to hit the field.
This is still one of the craziest interceptions I’ve ever seen ???? @MalikHooker24 @Colts pic.twitter.com/ihxoU1fes2
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) July 22, 2020
Malik would be an acquisition that would fill the place left by cornerback Rashard Robinson, who was released by the Cowboys just days ago. However, if he signed the player, he would have strong competition at the position. Since at the moment, it is mostly viewed as a back-up piece among the safeties. From what practices have dictated from organized activities and minicamp, the deep starters in the regular season should be Donovan Wilson and Damontae Kazee.
We also have elements like Darian Thompson and Jayron Kearse, who work as backups and also have special team skills. Consequently, Malik won’t have an easy time if he wants to be a standout member of the Lone Star team. But despite everything, his youth plays in his favor. He would only have to do his part in the physical tests and convince the organization that he has everything it takes to be part of the roster.
Either way, the Cowboys will have to wait a few days to make this possible if conditions are met. In addition, there is the economic aspect of the matter. It should not be forgotten that Malik is a first-round pick, and despite his injuries, he knows that he plays in a position where it is very difficult to get a quality element in the first rounds of the Draft.
If there is an agreement that manages to benefit both parties, along with the fact that Hooker passes the physical tests and manages to convince the franchise, it must be taken for granted that he will be part of the Cowboys. However, we have to wait for the results and see if the free agent will wear the star on his helmet by 2021.
