2019 Raiders Draft Prospect Profile

Name: Amani Hooker

Position: Safety

School: The University of Iowa

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 210 pounds

Draft Projection: Day 2

Stats



Speed

With Hooker, he will play much faster than his timed 40. As a result, the film tells a much better story than anything does you will see at the combine. Decisiveness is what helps him in space. That is not to say, Hooker is slow. His timing and instincts are what will help his stock. Moreover, the ability to drive on the ball, plants the seed of doubt in the quarterback’s mind, about whether the comeback is worth it.

Coverage

Hooker appears comfortable operating in just about every circumstance. When he plays a centerfield, which looks like his most comfortable spot. Yet, he can trail a tight end. However, what stands out most is his presence of mind. For instance, when trailing, Hooker knows if help over the top exists in a subpackage. There is no panic. As a result, Hooker will take chances like undercutting a route and making the immediate play on the ball.

Agility

While Hooker can function in the slot, playing man versus twitchy receivers is not really his forte. His fluidity is functional but not elite. The ability to flip hips and go is adequate, at best.

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Ball Skills

Hooker’s instincts will lead to interceptions and pass breakups. With quick hands, he draws a bead on the ball. If he is near the ball, count on Hooker to make a play, without fail. More importantly, if he cannot pick the ball off, he will dislodge it. From splitting the hands of wideouts to pulling the hands apart after the ball contact.

Tackling

To his credit, Hooker uses sound technique to stop the ballcarrier. On the other hand, he does not pop the target with force. However, he generates drive and drag efficiently.

Raiders Fit

With Reggie Nelson hopefully walking into the sunset of his career, the Raiders, outside of Karl Joseph lack the athleticism at the safety spot. For years, since the days of Reggie McKenzie, the Raiders continued to fail covering tight ends or playing a sound safety. In Hooker, he could give Paul Guenther the luxury of turning Karl Joseph loose to attack every pass pattern with reckless abandon. For Joseph, a technically sound safety is the perfect complement. He needs that sound bookend to cleanup, in case of overpursuit or guessing wrong. Currently, before the combine, Hooker looks like a Day 2 selection, should the Raiders select him.