Should the Browns draft Malik Hooker at No. 12?

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Though Malik Hooker didn’t participate in pre-draft workouts, he’s universally regarded as the best safety prospect in the NFL Draft. He’s good. That’s not news.

The Browns clearly aren’t going to take him at No. 1 and there’s a really good chance Hooker will be off the board at No. 12 — most mock draft have him as a top-five pick — but he has been slipping in some of the more recent mocks.

If he falls to No. 12? Hmm.

In our breakdown of potential candidates for the Browns at No. 12, we're giving reasons why Cleveland should or should not take those players. Below are five reasons the Browns should draft Hooker at No. 12 if he's available. We'll also have five reasons they should not take him today at cleveland.com/browns.

By Ari Wasserman, cleveland.com

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1. How can you pass on Ed Reed?

The top question at this point in the Browns' draft preparation is whether or not they'll get their quarterback of the future. But with the No. 1 overall pick, it seems as if the Browns may have no choice other than selecting Myles Garrett at the top of the draft.

Though Garrett may be the most can't-miss player in the draft, Hooker has been drawing comparisons to former Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed, which may have started from Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as the Buckeyes were preparing for the Fiesta Bowl.

"I'd like to take credit for Hooker, but I can't do that," said Schiano. "He's got great hand-eye coordination, great athletic sense, sense of body control and he's very explosive. You put that all together, then as he learns football, and studies football, you decrease reaction time."

"Ed could feel where the quarterback was going and he had the explosiveness and speed to get there," said Schiano.

The Browns had to face Reed enough to know the value of a dominant safety. If Hooker is that good -- and it seems like he is -- the Browns could get a franchise-changing player.

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2. Safety is the Browns' biggest need

The Browns may be in a position where they need to take the best player available at every pick regardless of position because there are so many holes to fill. But there is no greater need for Cleveland -- outside of quarterback -- than at the safety position.

There are other safeties in the draft the Browns could try taking later, sure. And the No. 12 pick could be reserved for the quarterback of the future, especially of Deshaun Watson or Mitchell Trubisky end up falling.

But Hooker at No. 12? That's the best player on the board (if he falls) and he fills a direct need.

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3. Imagine the value at No. 12

Most mock drafts have Hooker as a top five pick, but there are some concerns about his injuries that have stopped him from working out in front of scouts. Hooker, however, played through injury in the Fiesta Bowl and made some dynamic plays while hurt, so there isn't much concern about whether he'll overcome the injuries.

Getting a potential top 3 pick at No. 12? That's how you build a winner.

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4. Did you see the Fiesta Bowl interception?

Hooker was playing with a sports hernia and a torn hip labrum in the Fiesta Bowl, but he was all over the field. He also made one of the craziest interceptions you'll ever see by covering ground at an elite level. Deshaun Watson threw a perfect pass that would have been a touchdown against 99 percent of college football.

That play is enough to convince anyone he's worthy.

Didn't see it somehow? Watch it here.

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5. The Browns should draft a Buckeye

Maybe the storyline is a bit overblown, but everyone talks about how the Browns have ignored countless stars who played two hours south on I-71. Cleveland hasn't taken an Ohio State player since 2009 when it drafted receiver Brian Robiskie, and in the time since the Buckeyes have produced a lot of talent.

• 4 Ohio State players the Browns could draft

Satisfying a need and keeping some in-state talent at home? That's a win-win.