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2017 NFL Draft: The Top 32 Prospects and How the 49ers Are Linked to Each

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

No. 7: Safety Malik Hooker, Ohio State

Take everything said about San Francisco’s safety situation, and now apply Ohio State free safety Malik Hooker to the equation.

Hooker would be a seamless fit in the 49ers defense this year, which is reason enough to consider him at No. 2 overall.

It’s why Hooker was the top choice in one of our own mock drafts.

Related Story: 49ers 2017 NFL Draft Complete Mock

To link him to the 49ers though, let’s look at what general manager John Lynch had to say.

“It doesn’t mean that we’re looking for a 5-9, 195-pound guy that Earl [Thomas] is, but we’re looking for some of those traits,” Lynch said of the Seahawks safety, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “It’s a credit to Earl. He’s put it out there that this is the profile that you’re looking for when you’re playing this scheme.”

Barrows also drew the comparison between Hooker and Washington’s Budda Baker.

San Francisco already met with Baker — a day-two prospect — but not with Hooker.

That doesn’t mean the Niners won’t jump on him though.