Kansas City Chiefs: Top 10 Draft Targets For 2017

Kansas City Chiefs Draft Target No. 3

Malik Hooker – S – Ohio State

If the Kansas City Chiefs are unable to re-sign Eric Berry, then they will have to do something big at safety.  Berry’s role in the defense is crucial, though often under-appreciated.  There is nobody else on the team that is asked to do as much on the field as he is.  So if the Chiefs need to replace him, it has to be with someone supremely talented.  Malik Hooker of Ohio State is supremely talented.

Malik Hooker is possibly the most naturally gifted athlete in this draft class.  Hooker is a former wide receiver and cornerback, which helps him understand route concepts.  Large frame with elite athleticism makes him a match up problem for opposing offenses.  Shows the ability to make big plays at any point in the game.

The drawback on Malik Hooker is that he is not very experienced at the safety position.  He still has plenty to learn, which may cause some teams to pass on him.  Hooker is also somewhat overconfident in his athletic ability and will leave receivers too much space.  He will likely struggle some early on in his NFL career.

Malik Hooker has insane upside due to his size, athletic ability, and versatility.  The coaching staff will have to be hard on him early on, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Kansas City.  The only real concern here is how quickly he can catch on.  The Chiefs may not get an immediate impact from Hooker, but when he is ready to play he could be a huge pickup.