Redskins 7-round mock with the team selecting a QB in the first
Round 5, Pick 15: DB Amani Hooker, Iowa
Iowa has quietly been one of the best producers of versatile defensive backs over the past five or so years. Guys like Micah Hyde, Desmond King, and Josh Jackson have all become solid players at the NFL level, and Hyde and King have particularly been Swiss Army knives for their respective NFL teams.
Amani Hooker could be the next in line among Iowa DBs. He’s one of the most versatile players in this draft, and it’s possible that he could end up being a Day 2 pick in the draft. By getting him on Day 3, the Redskins could be getting a steal.
The Redskins need to add some talent to their secondary. They cut D.J. Swearinger after he repeatedly called out his coaches and teammates to the media while Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a free agent. Even if Clinton-Dix is re-signed, the team should definitely add another potential starter to compete with Montae Nicholson. And Hooker would provide that.
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Hooker was one of the best coverage players in the country, per Pro Football Focus this season, grading out with a 90.5 coverage grade. That was third-best among all qualified players. In addition to his coverage ability, he is a solid tackler (career-high 65 in 2018) and he has solid ball skills too (six interceptions in the past two seasons combined). That will make him a well-rounded player for the next level.
In the NFL, Hooker should be a more than solid safety and will also have the ability to play slot corner and maybe even linebacker in certain situations. He really could by the next version of Hyde, so scooping him up and employing him as a do-it-all player would be a great move.