Redskins: Five 2021 free agents to keep an eye on
By Ian Cummings
No. 3 – Indianapolis Colts FS Malik Hooker
The Redskins have taken somewhat position-less approach in the secondary this offseason. Signing Kendall Fuller was the biggest development on that front, as Fuller can play both cornerback and safety, and flourished in the latter role down the stretch with Kansas City.
The Redskins also signed a pure free safety in Sean Davis, who, despite his tackling issues, has the athletic upside and ball skills to potentially make a difference in coverage. All this said, it’s not a guarantee that the Redskins find their long-term compliment to Landon Collins in either option, for different reasons, and thus, they have to be open to choices on the 2021 free agent market.
One free safety who should command some interest is Indianapolis Colts safety and former first-round selection Malik Hooker. Hooker got off to a quick start in his career when he logged three picks and four pass deflections in just seven games in his rookie season. Since then, however, he’s struggled to progress a great deal, and while he’s not a liability, consistency is still an issue.
In 2019, Hooker played in thirteen games, accumulating 51 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass deflections. His athleticism and ball skills were clearly put on display in his best moments, and as a run defender, he greatly improved in 2019, using his 6-foot-1, 213-pound frame to fill up lanes and square up ball carriers. Late in the season, Hooker’s play took a turn, but at that point, injuries had mixed up the team’s starting secondary, and could have contributed to communication issues.
The upside is immense with Hooker, and while he’s not as much of a sure thing as the other names on this list, he consequently might come at a better value. Hooker just turned 24 years old in April, so he has an intriguing combination of youth and experience. 2020 will be big for him, as the Colts declined his fifth-year option. If he has a down year, they’ll let him go anyway, and if he has a career year, he’s likely to test the open market.