Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Malik Hooker and why are the Chicago Bears interested in him?
Malik Hooker is a safety prospect from Ohio State who is ranked #2 on Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 Prospect list and has been called the best defensive back in his draft class. The Bears finished 29th in interceptions last season and hold the third overall pick, making Hooker an attractive, low-risk option for GM Ryan Pace.
What did Daniel Jeremiah say about Malik Hooker's draft prospects?
Jeremiah ranked Hooker #2 on his Top 50 Prospect list and praised him as a tall, rangy safety with incredible instincts and the best ball skills of any safety he has ever evaluated in college. He also noted that Hooker has the potential to be one of the league's best safeties very early in his NFL career.
Why aren't the Bears expected to draft a quarterback with the third overall pick?
The highest-ranked quarterback on Mel Kiper's Big Board heading into the draft is Mitch Trubisky at #16, making the position a high-risk pick at number three. Pace also has options like trading for a veteran quarterback or re-signing Brian Hoyer, reducing the urgency to reach for a signal caller.
What kind of season did Malik Hooker have at Ohio State in 2016?
Hooker was a unanimous All-American in 2016 and led Ohio State with three pick-sixes as part of the team's seven interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also recorded 74 tackles across 13 games in what was just his first year as a starter.
How much football experience does Malik Hooker actually have?
Hooker didn't start playing football until his junior year in high school, and after earning a scholarship to Ohio State he spent his first two years on the bench learning behind Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell. His 2016 All-American season was essentially his first year as a full-time starter at the safety position.