Pro Football Focus has named Tennessee Titans rookie defensive back Amani Hooker as an “under-the-radar” rookie to watch during the preseason.
The Tennessee Titans might have gotten themselves a steal in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft in the form of defensive back, Amani Hooker.
Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash gave a list of “under-the-radar” rookies to watch during the preseason, and Hooker made the list.
Not only that, but PFF believes Hooker could eventually “dominate at the NFL level” based on his elite grades in slot coverage during his time with Iowa.
"From 2017-18, Hooker earned the highest slot coverage grade (90.4) among all college defensive backs, and he allowed a stingy 53.0 passer rating in said coverage (13th). If you filter his slot play to just zone coverage snaps, Hooker is still the highest graded in coverage, at 89.6, and is he so by a large margin with second-place Chauncey Gardner-Johnsoncoming in at 84.5.Slot coverage performance is often overlooked and arguably the most important position on the defense. With his elite slot coverage abilities shown during his time in college, Hooker has all the potential to dominate at the NFL level."
Aside from potentially being a great slot corner in the NFL, it’s also important to note that PFF had Hooker ranked as the No. 44 overall prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Titans were able to nab him with the 116th overall pick.
In 2018, Hooker was graded as the No. 1 slot corner in the FBS.
#Titans 4th round pick Amani Hooker led the FBS with a slot coverage grade of 88.5.#TitanUp pic.twitter.com/R924atDZmE
— PFF TEN Titans (@PFF_Titans) June 5, 2019
Recently, Minnesota Golden Gophers star receiver Tyler Johnson said Hooker was “one of the tougher guys” he’s ever gone up against in college, per PFF’s Austin Gayle.
What makes Hooker more intriguing is that he’s got some versatility. On top of being a great slot corner, Hooker could also see some time at safety. In the Titans’ first unofficial depth chart of 2019, Hooker was listed at the safety position.
For the Titans, Hooker’s future likely rests at slot corner, with both Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro signed to long-term deals.
Current Titans slot corner Logan Ryan is in the final year of his three-year, $30 million deal, and while he’s been a sensational player for the team, his days could be numbered if the Titans can’t afford to re-sign him.
That means Hooker could be Ryan’s heir-apparent, and his rookie season will be the trial run the Titans need in order to determine if they can actually let Ryan go or not. With a lot of money already invested into the secondary, re-signing Ryan may not be possible.
No matter how that particular situation plays out with Ryan, getting Amani Hooker in the fourth round might turn out to be one of the bigger steals in the draft. Hooker is just another impressive piece in what is a loaded Titans secondary going into 2019.