There weren't many bright spots for the 2024 Tennessee Titans. One of the undeniable ones was the play of veteran safety Amani Hooker. Despite the Titans' league-worst 3-14 record, Hooker arguably enjoyed a career-best season.
Hooker entered the 2024 campaign as his first without Kevin Byard, who was traded midway through 2023, by his side. Establishing himself as the leader in Tennessee's secondary was Hooker's primary mission. The former Iowa standout achieved that and then some.
Dennard Wilson's secondary faced challenges throughout the season. Starting cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chido Awuzie were sidelined for the majority of the campaign. Hooker's initial safety partner, Quandre Diggs, suffered a season-ending injury.
None of that prevented Hooker from being a difference maker. The former fourth-round selection recorded 71 tackles in 14 regular-season appearances. Hooker also added a career-high five interceptions to his defensive totals. He finished tied for fourth in interceptions among all safeties in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 32 safeties in the league. Hooker felt like a guarantee for this list following his statistical outputs in 2024. Shockingly, he was snubbed from the list altogether, while Byard clocked in at No. 19.
Pro Football Focus snubs Amani Hooker from rankings list
PFF was generally bullish on Hooker throughout the 2024 season. His coverage grade was 66.3, and his overall defensive score was 65.1, both fairly average numbers according to their grading scale. The tape told a different story, with Hooker being a huge asset in coverage, and for Brian Callahan's defense in general.
If there's one area of growth the Titans want to see from Hooker in 2025, it's likely in the health department. The versatile do-it-all safety has appeared in 48 of a potential 68 games over the previous four campaigns, missing between three and eight contests every season. It's worth noting Hooker's 14 appearances during the 2024 campaign represented a personal-most since 2020, trending upwards.
Hooker is scheduled to enter the final season of a previously signed three-year, $30 million contract. Tennessee's notable defender is still 26 years old with plenty of good football ahead of him. Pro Football Focus snub notwithstanding, Hooker is among the most impactful safeties in the league.