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2017 NFL Draft: What Would Happen if the 49ers Selected Safety Malik Hooker

By Peter Panacy

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers will probably focus on defense early in the 2017 NFL Draft, and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker is one name to watch. What would be the implications for the Niners if Hooker winds up going at No. 2 overall?

Ohio State free safety Malik Hooker to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

That’s the scenario. And let’s assume, for a moment, it happens.

The Niners are going through a wholesale roster rebuild. Perhaps only a handful of carryovers from last year’s roster are truly safe. And even while San Francisco has a fairly deep crop of safeties entering 2017, that should be enough to stop them from taking another in this year’s draft.

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A Hooker-to-49ers scenario would involve a number of things. First, it wouldn’t be much of a shock to see general manager John Lynch like a player like Hooker.

Lynch was, after all, a safety during his NFL days. He understands the position and can break down the scouting reports here arguably better than any other positional group.

And Hooker fits a need too.

Mind you, San Francisco is shifting over to a 4-3 under defense, in the mold of the Seattle Seahawks, under coordinator Robert Saleh.

A Rangy Free-Safety Fit for the 49ers

Seattle has Earl Thomas III as its free safety. In a Cover 3 defense, as broken down here by Niner Noise’s Richard Madrid, basically acts as a center fielder with two cornerbacks acting as both a left and right fielder, in baseball terms.

Related Story: 49ers Film Room: A Defense in the Mold of a Rival, the Passing Game

The strong safety is usually up in the box and can cover the flat or seam routes against tight ends or running backs.

Thomas excels in this role, largely due to his ability to converge on either side of the field. And it’s what Hooker does well too. Just take a look at this clip from Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson:

CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler backed this up in his scouting report on Hooker:

"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."

Seems like a natural fit, right? But what would the implications be for San Francisco, should Lynch elect to go this route?

Moving Around the 49ers Personnel

In previous years, the Niners employed 2013 first-round draftee Eric Reid as the team’s free safety.

Reid, entering a contract year in 2017, will probably bump down to the strong safety spot if he retains a starting job. Although it’s entirely possible he loses out if the 49ers draft someone like LSU’s Jamal Adams (more of a strong safety) in Round 1 or if third-year pro Jaquiski Tartt finally makes the next big leap.

A big part of the equation is defensive back Jimmie Ward.

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) runs the football during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) runs the football during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Ward has spent the majority of his time serving as the team’s primary nickel corner and played on the outside under former defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil a year ago.

But Ward’s natural position is free safety — the spot at which he played in college.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, eluded to Ward moving to free safety this season, saying he was “capable of doing both” safety and cornerback duties.

Hooker is surely an upgrade over Ward, who is still a nice commodity to have. Yet if San Francisco was to go with the Ohio State product in Round 1, keeping Ward at cornerback remains the only legitimate option to make the pieces fit.

That’s not a bad move in of itself. The 49ers need rangy corners who can cover too. In a Cover 3 scheme, there’s a lack of over-the-top coverage. So the ability to “be on an island” remains paramount.

Projected 49ers Depth Chart with Malik Hooker on the Roster

Should San Francisco go with Hooker at No. 2, the team’s defensive backfield might wind up looking something like this:

  • Outside cornerbacks: Jimmie Ward, Rashard Robinson
  • Nickel corner: K’Waun Williams
  • Strong safety: Eric Reid
  • Free safety: Malik Hooker

Reid wins out here because he’s entering a contract year, which should provide enough motivation. It’s doubtful he sticks around with the Niners beyond this season though.

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Ward and second-year pro Rashard Robinson are the starting corners, and the 49ers plug in free-agent pickup K’Waun Williams to handle slot coverage.

Last year’s starting cornerback, Tramaine Brock, is pushed out of the picture and into a reserve role, assuming he makes the team. Brock isn’t an ideal fit for one-on-one coverage, but the team could certainly do worse than keep him as a backup.

Next: 49ers 2017 NFL Draft Positional Preview: Safety

Nevertheless, a player like Hooker is certainly worth targeting early in Round 1. And with his unique skill set, the 49ers would be well on their way to replicating what the Seahawks have done on defense over the last few years.