The Indianapolis Colts have a decision to make this weekend as the deadline to exercise or decline Malik Hooker’s fifth-year option for the 2021 season quickly approaches.
Because Hooker was a first-round pick—the No. 15 overall in 2017—the Colts get a team option for his fifth season. That decision has to be made during the offseason before his fourth year in the league.
Hooker is talented. There is no denying the skillset he brings to the defense. He has solid range and ball skills to work as a deep safety while showing flashes of making plays against the run during the 2019 season.
But there are also injury concerns with Hooker. After tearing his ACL during his rookie season, Hooker has seemingly dealt with some type of injury each season. In addition to that, there is a viable argument that his skills as a rangy safety are best suited for a team that uses more single-high looks. The Colts are a team that likes to implement Cover 2 as the foundational coverage for the defense.
Picking up Hooekr’s option wouldn’t cost the Colts a fortune. It would be right around the $7–8 million mark, making Hooker a middle-of-the-road safety in terms of salary.
What say you, Colts fans? Should Indy pick up the fifth-year option on Hooker?
