The Dallas Cowboys are facing a challenging situation that demands careful consideration.
Dak Prescott's contract expires after the 2024 season. Dallas could choose to begin renegotiating sooner rather than later.
Their young guns, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs are chomping for a new contract.
All-Pro Linebacker Micah Parsons' bank account is preparing to change substantially over the next two seasons or maybe sooner.
Let's face it. Dallas has star power in a multitude of positions.
It will be interesting to see how Stephen slices up the proverbial pie over the next few seasons.
With all the money preparing to leave Jerry's bank account, I hope they throw a few dollars in Malik Hooker's direction.
He is a name that doesn't get enough recognition, but he may be the most essential piece to Dallas' defense.
Malik Hooker is poised for a breakout season
Malik Hooker has quietly gone about his business in his two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
He has remained healthy in back-to-back years, only missing two games in 2021 and 2022.
Why is that important?
Because the first four seasons were a complete trainwreck for Hooker missing 28 regular season games.
Hooker recovered from his 2019 torn meniscus in his left knee.
Last season for Dallas, fans were beginning to see why the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 15th pick from Ohio State.
From 2021 to 2022, his total snaps increased from 445 to 860, with 715 of those plays in the free safety role, according to Pro Football Focus.
#Cowboys FS Malik Hooker had a 92nd percentile coverage grade in 2022 per @PFF.
He also finished No. 12 in WAR among safeties last season.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) July 7, 2023
Not to mention, his tackling grade skyrocketed from 49.1 to 86.7.
That's not all. Hooker allowed one touchdown and snagged three interceptions.
The cherry on the top lies within the penalties or the lack thereof. The 27-year-old safety collected a total of zero penalties all season.
I don't know about you, but it has been a long time since Dallas has had a competent and athletic free safety roaming the middle of the field.
Dallas may have to choose between Hooker and Jayron Kearse
Donovan Wilson received a 3-year $24 million contract this past offseason.
Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker are due for extensions after this upcoming season.
Dallas may only have cap space to pay one of them. If I had a vote at the table, it would be Hooker by a landslide.
For one, age should be a factor. After the season, Kearse will be 30 years old versus 28 for Hooker.
Not a huge discrepancy, right?
The other part is the positional value, which tips towards the free safety position.
Players with the mental fortitude to pair with the athleticism to read and react are hard to come by.
However, that's not to say that Kearse isn't a vital cog in the machine, but there is a belief that he may be replaceable.
DeMarvion Overshown was drafted this year from the University of Texas.
He played all over the field in college, so I would not be surprised if he plays some of the ‘Big Safety' role this season.
Markquese Bell is also someone who was on the active roster for the entire 2022 season. Dallas wants to find out what they have in this player.
Is it possible Israel Mukuamu or Kelvin Joseph could be potential free safeties?
Maybe. However, that position change will take much more than a season to reap the fruits of their labor.
Let's face it, Dallas will only be able to sign some of their free agents. Some players will leave for bigger paydays, a la Connor McGovern.
Others will be cap casualties.
Dallas must think long and hard before deciding on Malik Hooker.
This defense may look different without him.
