The Dallas Cowboys' secondary has as many problems as Jerry Jones is having trying to pay Micah Parsons.
While those two issues are vastly different, the secondary has been depleted thanks to injuries to Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel Jr., Josh Butler and Caelen Carson. The rapid rise of Kaiir Elam has been something special to watch, and if he lives up to the hype he could become the most important pickup of the offseason.
If all goes well, the Cowboys’ safeties should be ready for kickoff weekend against the Eagles. Both Jon Machota of The Athletic and Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News have highlighted Malik Hooker as one of their top 10 standouts from training camp.
"The veteran safety has made plays on the ball in the air while also being in great position to make tackles in the run game...He looks comfortable in the new defense, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering new Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was his DC for three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts," Machota wrote.
Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is not showing his age in training camp
Hooker struggled with injuries early in his career and only played in 36 games during his four seasons with the Colts, but he clearly has a good memory of Eberflus' system.
The Cowboys' young core has really turned heads in Oxnard. Not many veterans cracked Hoyt's list of camp standouts. While the younger safeties like Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark, Juanyeh Thomas and Zion Childress have all showed out, Hooker and Wilson have kept them at bay.
"Hooker, 29, has stood out in the running game. His downhill run fits have been impressive. He hasn't stood out in pass coverage, which can be a good thing at times....The Cowboys have some younger, talented safety options, but Hooker and Donovan Wilson keep holding them off. There's a reason why," Hoyt wrote.
It's not supposed to be the job of safeties to rack up tackles, but Hooker had his best season to date in 2024, racking up 81 tackles, two interceptions and a 77.8 run-defense grade, per PFF. He also played in every game last season.
While the Cowboys navigate injuries at cornerback, safety is one position group they don't have to worry about. Hooker has long been one of the most underrated players on the roster, and he seems primed for another strong year.