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Chicago Bears Draft Update: An New Look at the Bears Options at Number Three

By Bryan Dietzler

Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Hooker, a safety from Ohio State, is considered a bit of a risk by some due to the fact he had surgery this off-season and will be out for an extended period of time.  His surgery was to repair a torn labrum and a hernia but some seem to think he will be back, possibly, sometime around August.  He could miss some training camp workouts and not be ready for the start of the season.

So the question is, will he be able to be effective in his first season in the NFL or will he have to wait a year to see the field?  And would it even be worth it to draft him at number three in his condition?

Sketchy as it may seem, there is some upside to drafting Hooker.  Some of his strengths, according to CBS Sports, include:

"Gifted athlete with impressive blend of burst, body control and reflexes. Outstanding play speed, covering a lot of green. Magnet to the ball due to his cover awareness, field vision and range. Transfers weight to smoothly open his hips, turn and run without gearing down. Impressive lower body explosion and leaping skills. Unique timing/anticipation to break on the ball and make plays most defensive backs don’t. Elite ballskills with the innate ability to find, judge and disrupt the catch point. Long arms and strong hands to finish interceptions – finished second in the FBS with seven pick-offs in 2016. Playmaker with the ball in his hands with 181 yards (25.9 average) and three touchdowns on interception returns in 2016 (had another return for a score that was called back due to a phantom penalty). Explosive tackler and doesn’t need a runway to create momentum. Fast angles working downhill with range to clean up plays his teammates miss. Uses his length to lasso ballcarriers out of his reach. Experienced on special teams coverages."

But one thing about Hooker that some scouts may consider a drawback is that he does not have a lot of experience at safety.  He has only one year of collegiate starting experience and still has a lot to learn.  And coming into the league is tough when you don’t have a lot of experience.  Tack on the surgery as well as some minor mechanical flaws with tackling and there could be some concern.

If the Bears feel that Hooker will be back from his injury quickly and without too many serious side effects they may consider taking him.  He’s a great player and would be an improvement over anyone they have at the position right now.  Would the Bears roll the dice on him or go another perhaps safer route?

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