Malik Hooker out 4-6 months after multiple surgeries on labrum and hernia

[Raskolnikov]

I agree, there's no question Hooker has elite upside at free safety, but in terms of taking him at 3, i want a complete safety who is also a ballhawk. I'm not saying he shouldn't be a first round pick but are fans comfortable taking an upside guy at 3? Adams and Hooker both have potential to be elite safeties. Adams i think is a very safe bet to be one. Hooker has more upside, but people act like he's a can't miss prospect. I think he's got a higher upside but way more bust potential.

In the end I think 3 is to high for a safety who isn't essentially a perfect prospect. Adams is pretty close, Hooker seems to risky. I would not be at all upset if they toom him at 3, but i am skeptical that that will happen.

This changes things for me, and now we must take Adams for strong safety, and have Amos at FS, maybe even try Fuller at FS in competition, or NB. This complicates things for me. I'm not against taking Fournette or Allan now, as they are the next most valuable on my board.

If White is a bust, and Jeffery walks, then is Mike Williams or Corey Davis in play for anyone else at pick #3? Watson or a trade down also tempting, Trubs...Robinson....

alot of guys can still help the team, but Hooker has to be off the board at #3.

 

[remydat]

Not really. Team's have known he was playing hurt. He's the same guy people were ready to take in the Top 5. Heck he was doing all of that while he wasn't at his physical best. As long as he interviews right I don't think this changes the game that much.

We don't know if any team was ready to take him in the top 5. We just know he graded out by a lot of fans and media as a top 10 prospect.

If by people you meant Bears fans then I don't think that is saying much. There is a contingent of overzealous Bears fans who seem to be ignoring the fact that the positional value of a S is quite low relative to other positions simply because our safeties sucked.

Hooker without the injury is a stretch for a top 5 pick. Like in the history of the NFL, there would be one DB (Eric Turner) that would have been taken higher than Hooker if we took him at 3. The guy would have to be a future HOFer in my opinion to be worth it and frankly I didn't think he was before the bum shoulder and hernia.

Is Malik Hooker really the 2nd best DB prospect in the history of the NFL? Really?

 

[Burrberry]

We don't know if any team was ready to take him in the top 5. We just know he graded out by a lot of fans and media as a top 10 prospect.

If by people you meant Bears fans then I don't think that is saying much. There is a contingent of overzealous Bears fans who seem to be ignoring the fact that the positional value of a S is quite low relative to other positions simply because our safeties sucked.

Chargers knew he was hurt and they're still ready to take him at #7 overall if he's there according to anonymous sources.

And by people I meant fans of teams in the Top 5.

 

[remydat]

This changes things for me, and now we must take Adams for strong safety, and have Amos at FS, maybe even try Fuller at FS in competition, or NB. This complicates things for me. I'm not against taking Fournette or Allan now, as they are the next most valuable on my board.

If White is a bust, and Jeffery walks, then is Mike Williams or Corey Davis in play for anyone else at pick #3? Watson or a trade down also tempting, Trubs...Robinson....

alot of guys can still help the team, but Hooker has to be off the board at #3.

Or you know we can just sign a few safeties in FA and not worry about it for the draft. Drafting Hooker or Adams would be implying they were the 2nd best DB prospect in the history of the NFL. Eric Turner is the only DB to be taken with the 2nd pick in the draft or higher.

Like just say no. Don't let our shitty safety spot result in a huge overreaction in the draft.

 

[remydat]

This changes things for me, and now we must take Adams for strong safety, and have Amos at FS, maybe even try Fuller at FS in competition, or NB. This complicates things for me. I'm not against taking Fournette or Allan now, as they are the next most valuable on my board.

If White is a bust, and Jeffery walks, then is Mike Williams or Corey Davis in play for anyone else at pick #3? Watson or a trade down also tempting, Trubs...Robinson....

alot of guys can still help the team, but Hooker has to be off the board at #3.

The good thing about anonymous sources is that they aren't held accountable because they are anonymous.

Hooker without the injury is a stretch for a top 5 pick. Like in the history of the NFL, there is one DB (Eric Turner) that would have been taken higher than Hooker if we took him at 3. The guy would have to be a future HOFer in my opinion to be worth it and frankly I didn't think he was before the bum shoulder and hernia.

Is Malik Hooker really the 2nd best DB prospect in the history of the NFL? Really?

 

[Payton!34]

Things like this are why drafting at the bottom of the first isn't always a bad thing. There are always injured or troubled players that drop but should be taken much sooner. Early teams can't take those chances bc they already suck hence why they're drafting early.

No way, he makes it to the second round

 

[Adipost]

We don't know if any team was ready to take him in the top 5. We just know he graded out by a lot of fans and media as a top 10 prospect.

If by people you meant Bears fans then I don't think that is saying much. There is a contingent of overzealous Bears fans who seem to be ignoring the fact that the positional value of a S is quite low relative to other positions simply because our safeties sucked.

Hooker without the injury is a stretch for a top 5 pick. Like in the history of the NFL, there would be one DB (Eric Turner) that would have been taken higher than Hooker if we took him at 3. The guy would have to be a future HOFer in my opinion to be worth it and frankly I didn't think he was before the bum shoulder and hernia.

Is Malik Hooker really the 2nd best DB prospect in the history of the NFL? Really?

Your head is gonna explode when Pace drafts Adams.

 

[BeerFan]

I will be completely shocked if the don't draft a QB at #3 (unless they trade or sign a quality one in FA).

 

[Burrberry]

We don't know if any team was ready to take him in the top 5. We just know he graded out by a lot of fans and media as a top 10 prospect.

If by people you meant Bears fans then I don't think that is saying much. There is a contingent of overzealous Bears fans who seem to be ignoring the fact that the positional value of a S is quite low relative to other positions simply because our safeties sucked.

Hooker without the injury is a stretch for a top 5 pick. Like in the history of the NFL, there would be one DB (Eric Turner) that would have been taken higher than Hooker if we took him at 3. The guy would have to be a future HOFer in my opinion to be worth it and frankly I didn't think he was before the bum shoulder and hernia.

Is Malik Hooker really the 2nd best DB prospect in the history of the NFL? Really?

They can't just expect a damn good maybe All pro like player at #3 if they go S? He has to be put in consideration with guys that were picked before and after him ages ago? Never mind the individual needs of those team's or that the NFL constantly evolves. I can't see team's thinking how guy's taking eons ago when the game was different and when most of these guy's weren't even alive or in diapers is relevant to what they're trying to do now.

Do you think he'll be a good player? Y/N. Does he fill a position of need Y/N. Will there be comparable value later on in the draft Y/N. It's that simple.

If we pick a QB at #3 is he better than Phillip Rivers who was picked 1 whole spot later or Brady that was picked hundreds of spots later? Help me understand.

 

[Adipost]

This changes things for me, and now we must take Adams for strong safety, and have Amos at FS, maybe even try Fuller at FS in competition, or NB. This complicates things for me. I'm not against taking Fournette or Allan now, as they are the next most valuable on my board.

If White is a bust, and Jeffery walks, then is Mike Williams or Corey Davis in play for anyone else at pick #3? Watson or a trade down also tempting, Trubs...Robinson....

alot of guys can still help the team, but Hooker has to be off the board at #3.

I still think Pace could still go safety at #3 with Adams. He could be the Eric Berry of the Chicago Bears. A hybrid safety who sets the tone of his defense with a crushing hit early in the game just like Berry has done numerous times.
[video=youtube_share;ktuijMDwsh8]https://youtu.be/ktuijMDwsh8[/video]

 

[Smokey Robinson]

If I were Pace I am using 3 on my franchise QB and still landing a stud safety at the top of the second.

[video=youtube;PoXL6gsuFNs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoXL6gsuFNs[/video]

 

[remydat]

Your head is gonna explode when Pace drafts Adams.

Not really, I'll just think he's stupid but life will go on. If we are in a position where we feel Adams or Hooker should be the pick then Pace has failed miserably in FA. I don't know what else Pace could spend the 70 million or so of cap space on if not secondary help.

They can't just expect a damn good maybe All pro like player at #3 if they go S? He has to be put in consideration with guys that were picked before and after him ages ago? Never mind the individual needs of those team's or that the NFL constantly evolves. I can't see team's thinking how guy's taking eons ago when the game was different and when most of these guy's weren't even alive or in diapers is relevant to what they're trying to do now.

Do you think he'll be a good player? Y/N. Does he fill a position of need Y/N. Will there be comparable value later on in the draft Y/N. It's that simple.

If we pick a QB at #3 is he better than Phillip Rivers who was picked 1 whole spot later or Brady that was picked hundreds of spots later? Help me understand.

Again is there not FA? I can easily find good safeties in FA. There is absolutely positively little to no reason to consider a S at 3 at this point. You guys seem to ignore the fact that a GM needs to have a cohesive FA and Draft strategy and are just looking at the draft in isolation.

So no it's not that simple. Here are the things one should consider and my answers

1. What will be available in FA? A **** ton of good safeties and one elite prospect
2. What positions generally cost more in FA? A good to elite safety is generally cheaper than a good to elite player at just about every position
3. Can I fill all my needs in the draft **** no, don't be stupid
4. What is my salary cap space? I have a **** ton of money
5. Given my answers thus far, what positions should I target in FA? The positions that I can fill needs cost effectively
6. Do I think the safety prospects will be good players? Sure, Hooker and Adams look like good prospects
7. Does he fill a position of need? Not if I had common sense and signed some S in FA because I can get them cheaper than good players at other positions and I have a **** ton of money to spend
8. Will there be comparable value later on in the draft? Safety is deep in this draft and historically S is one position you can fill without having to get a top pick
9. Do I have higher priority positions that are harder to fill in FA cost effectively that are needs? Duh, getting a good to elite QB, pass rusher, or OT in FA costs a **** ton more relative to drafting one at 3
10. Based on the above, what's the best option here? Use the draft pick to get a player at the more important position that otherwise would cost you a **** ton to fill in FA

 

[Adipost]

If I were Pace I am using 3 on my franchise QB and still landing a stud safety at the top of the second.

Or trade down, grab this dude, and Baker, and a QB.
[video=youtube_share;hs8Xq0Xm0Oc]https://youtu.be/hs8Xq0Xm0Oc[/video]

 

[Smokey Robinson]

Or trade down, grab this dude, and Baker, and a QB.
[video=youtube_share;hs8Xq0Xm0Oc]https://youtu.be/hs8Xq0Xm0Oc[/video]

Love Njoku but TE, like Safety, is a position of great depth in this class. IMO there are only a couple of QBs worth investing in. I'm not taking chances and missing out on Watson or Kizer.

 

[Adipost]

Love Njoku but TE, like Safety, is a position of great depth in this class. IMO there are only a couple of QBs worth investing in. I'm not taking chances and missing out on Watson or Kizer.

Good point, but Njoku is so much better than all the rest. I haven't seen a TE like him in a long time.

 

[Burrberry]

Not really, I'll just think he's stupid but life will go on. If we are in a position where we feel Adams or Hooker should be the pick then Pace has failed miserably in FA. I don't know what else Pace could spend the 70 million or so of cap space on if not secondary help.



Again is there not FA? I can easily find good safeties in FA. There is absolutely positively little to no reason to consider a S at 3 at this point. You guys seem to ignore the fact that a GM needs to have a cohesive FA and Draft strategy and are just looking at the draft in isolation.

So no it's not that simple. Here are the things one should consider and my answers

1. What will be available in FA? A **** ton of good safeties and one elite prospect
2. What positions generally cost more in FA? A good to elite safety is generally cheaper than a good to elite player at just about every position
3. Can I fill all my needs in the draft **** no, don't be stupid
4. What is my salary cap space? I have a **** ton of money
5. Given my answers thus far, what positions should I target in FA? The positions that I can fill needs cost effectively
6. Do I think the safety prospects will be good players? Sure, Hooker and Adams look like good prospects
7. Does he fill a position of need? Not if I had common sense and signed some S in FA because I can get them cheaper than good players at other positions and I have a **** ton of money to spend
8. Will there be comparable value later on in the draft? Safety is deep in this draft and historically S is one position you can fill without having to get a top pick
9. Do I have higher priority positions that are harder to fill in FA cost effectively that are needs? Duh, getting a good to elite QB, pass rusher, or OT in FA costs a **** ton more relative to drafting one at 3
10. Based on the above, what's the best option here? Use the draft pick to get a player at the more important position that otherwise would cost you a **** ton to fill in FA

They actually have to sign here first. When/If we do address it in FA we can move on to other stuff. As of now there's still a gaping hole at a spot.

And you didn't answer my question. If we pick a QB at #3 are they supposed to be a better prospects than Phillip Rivers? Obviously they can win you a game more than a safety, and the inverse is also true. I did not understand the train of thought there.

 

[Enasic]

If I were Pace I am using 3 on my franchise QB and still landing a stud safety at the top of the second.

[video=youtube;PoXL6gsuFNs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoXL6gsuFNs[/video]

Who's your franchise QB?

 

[Smokey Robinson]

Who's your franchise QB?

I think both Watson and Kizer have franchise QB potential. If I'm on the clock and both are there I am taking Watson.

 

[Enasic]

I think both Watson and Kizer have franchise QB potential. If I'm on the clock and both are there I am taking Watson.

Fair enough. What are your thoughts on his size, frame, accuracy, mechanical, issues? In addition to locking onto targets and not reading the full field? That probably sounds aggressive, and I don't mean it to be. It's just those are my main concerns and I'm curious to what the Watson fans have to say about it. Obviously, I know he was highly successful in college...but I think it goes without saying that the college game is completely different than the pro game. He certainly has that "it" factor in college....but will he have it in the pros? What makes you think he will? He's still extremely wet behind the ears. I think wherever he goes, he'll benefit greatly by watching on the sidelines for the 1st year at least.

 

[Smokey Robinson]

Fair enough. What are your thoughts on his size, frame, accuracy, mechanical, issues? In addition to locking onto targets and not reading the full field? That probably sounds aggressive, and I don't mean it to be. It's just those are my main concerns and I'm curious to what the Watson fans have to say about it. Obviously, I know he was highly successful in college...but I think it goes without saying that the college game is completely different than the pro game. He certainly has that "it" factor in college....but will he have it in the pros? What makes you think he will? He's still extremely wet behind the ears. I think wherever he goes, he'll benefit greatly by watching on the sidelines for the 1st year at least.

I think size concerns are overblown and he has a similar frame to guys like Mariota and Rodoers who have since bulked up. He has also shown the ability to take hits and keep slinging.

I see the accuracy when his mechanics are right. I think like any young QB he will have to work on his mechanics but that's what you pay NFL coaches for.

The reading the full field thing to me is also overblown. He has gone through plenty of progressions and we don't know what the system has called for. A lot of NFL teams incorporate half field reads to get the ball out quicker so it's not much of a concern.

I see a guy with a strong arm and ample mobility that has the requisite toughness both mentally and physically to lead an NFL team. I see a guy who has elevated those around him since he stepped on the field and in turn elevated a program from another team in the ACC to National Champs.