Malik Hooker passes medicals, signs with Cowboys

Former first-round safety Malik Hooker signs a contract with the Dallas Cowboys

Owner Jerry Jones and new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn have been busy trying to turn around the Dallas Cowboys defense. This past draft, eight draftees were defenders, and reputable names got signed in free agency to give Quinn more firepower.

One of the more questionable groups of defenders, the safties, was not addressed in the 2021 NFL Draft. To make up for that, Jerry signed two safeties.

The ambitious owner and general manager felt the team needed another player deep to push the team over the top. This time, it was a playmaking former first-round pick. He found that in safety Malik Hooker.

The Cowboys visited the former Buckeye back in March but did not come to terms on a deal. That is because of a failed medical evaluation. This time around, Hooker is ready to contribute to the team in training camp.

The recent reports of working out with the team sparked immediate assumptions that the safety would don the Star on his helmet.

Malik Hooker has been successful in the NFL

Since getting drafted 15th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, Hooker was successful for the Indianapolis Colts. In his four seasons with the team, Malik played in 36 games, accumulating 124 tackles, seven interceptions, and 11 defended passes.

While his play on the field is impressive, staying healthy has been an issue throughout his career. He missed 28 games thus far, with 14 of them being last season after he tore his Achilles tendon.

That may concern some since another new Cowboys safety, Damontae Kazee, is coming off the same injury. Both are ballhawk safeties that would compete with each other for the starting job opposite Donovan Wilson.

The contract details are not released yet, but we know Hooker will wear No. 28 on his jersey. The last player to wear that number was Daryl Worley, who left the team last year and is now with the Arizona Cardinals.

It is encouraging that Jerry is taking a chance on a high-potential playmaker at a position of need. When healthy, expect Malik Hooker to make opposing quarterbacks think twice. Dallas’ new number 28 will be an impact signing in the 2021 NFL season.