Tennessee Titans-4th Round: Amani Hooker
Another one of Robinson’s impressive picks, fourth-round rookie defensive back Amani Hooker has the versatility to play at both safety and slot corner.
It’s at the latter position that Hooker excelled in at college and it’s where we’d expect to see him during his rookie year. The Iowa product had the best overall slot coverage grade of any FBS defensive back last season, coming in with a grade of 88.5, according to Pro Football Focus.
#Titans 4th round pick Amani Hooker led the FBS with a slot coverage grade of 88.5.#TitanUp pic.twitter.com/XaVkvN8Ovn
— PFF TEN Titans (@PFF_Titans) June 26, 2019
Robinson might have struck gold here also and Hooker looks like just another great pick for the Titans’ GM. To grab a young DB in the fourth round with slot coverage skills and versatility like that isn’t something you see every year. Hooker could turn out to be an absolute steal.
The question is, can he surpass fellow slot corner and veteran Logan Ryan in his first season?
Chances are that won’t be the case because Hooker is still just a rookie learning the ropes, but he does give the Titans the option to eventually move on from Ryan should he pick things up quick enough in 2019. That would save Tennessee a nice chunk of change down the road, albeit at the expense of losing a high-character talent like Ryan.
Man, Amani Hooker in the 4th is such a steal for the Titans. https://t.co/fFMmk5oicK
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) May 1, 2019
For now, we can expect Hooker to be solid depth behind a secondary that has a plethora of talent from cornerback to safety. Hooker will rotate in when needed and he has one hell of a group of corners and safeties to learn from.
A rookie DB couldn’t ask for a better situation than the one Hooker is in and he should be able to develop rather quickly with such positive surroundings.