Hooker to take 4-6

Tour2ma

Malik Hooker Out 4-6 Months After Two Surgeries

Updated Feb. 1, 2017
By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.

Every year in the NFL Draft, there are some top prospects who are held back by injury during the pre-draft process. This year, one of the top talents in the 2017 NFL Draft will be in that category, as WalterFootball.com has learned from NFL sources that Ohio State safety Malik Hooker will be out 4-6 months after having hernia and labrum surgery.

Given the timetable of his recovery, Hooker won't be able to participate in the field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and may not be able to conduct other workouts later in the spring for teams prior to the draft. Thus, sources say that Hooker's combine medical recheck weeks before the draft will be very important for teams to gauge if there could be any projected impact on his availability for the start of training camp.

Hooker was one of the breakout players in college football in 2016, as the redshirt sophomore totaled 74 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, half a sack, four passes broken up and seven interceptions. He returned three of those picks for touchdowns in his first season as a starter. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder impressed evaluators with his natural skills as a single high safety and his ability to be a game changer in pass coverage. Hooker is atop our NFL Draft Safety Prospect Rankings.

At this time, the injuries don't appear to be threatening to his rookie season, so his draft stock may not see much of an impact from these surgeries. Multiple teams have told WalterFootball.com that Hooker has received high first-round grades, so even with these injuries, he may not have a long wait to find out his NFL home on Thursday night of the draft.

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftrumormill/article/Malik%20Hooker%20Out%204-6%20Months%20After%20Two%20Surgeries#7dUjfUDhklxluBxY.99

Orion

I had hernia surgery at the end of December. I go back to work Monday. I think I should hold out for months instead of weeks.

jiggins7919

The hernia surgery isn't as big of a deal compared to the labrum. I had that surgery too, and it took MONTHS for my shoulder to respond to therapy. Not only that, but my shoulder was never the same. Obviously I don't have NFL trainers and staff, but many people report having a shoulder surgery and it never being quite right. I feel for the kid...it will definitely hurt his draft status.

Flyin J

Really kind of genius on his part. Probably just an excuse to not hurt his draft stock by having to workout.

gftChris

This will hurt his draft stock, I'm sure.

Flyin J

@gftchris said:
This will hurt his draft stock, I'm sure.

I doubt it. Very common, very treatable injuries. Minor surgeries.

gftChris

I mean, it's not like a Myles Jack/Jaylon Smith type injury like last year, but maybe this means he falls to us at 12?

Tour2ma

Well... it doesn't help his draft stock.

How much it might hurt depends on the shoulder repair. How severe was the tear? Was repair via an arthroscopic procedure or did it have to be laid open? The latter does indicate its severity. Finally there will be team's medical staff's judgement as to whether there's indication of a chronic problem. All factors in how far he might fall, if at all.

Then it's a matter of during Mallik's idle time who, if anyone, passes him at the Combine, their Pro Days, etc. Stocks do rise and fall with these performances, especially at the Combine. I would think he would still attend for the interview and other off-the-field processes.

Ohio State's pro-day is usually in the second week of March. There's a chance he could be running by then, but he should be good to workout for teams he visits through April,

calfoxwc

I think the difference might be the teams that need immediate impact players

for right now, might not go ahead and draft him, but teams that can wait on

him to get back into football shape afterwards...

we'll see.

Westside Steve

@gftchris said:
This will hurt his draft stock, I'm sure.

Hopefully we can take him in the 4th.

WSS

BaconHound

Pass

Tour2ma

One other thing to consider... Hooker played through these injuries for a portion of the 2016 season closing with what may have been his most impressive outing vs. Clemson.

@calfoxwc said:
I think the difference might be the teams that need immediate impact players for right now, might not go ahead and draft him, but teams that can wait on him to get back into football shape afterwards... we'll see.

Certainly a factor... the other factor, his talent level. Team's will wait some for outstanding talent, especially those at the bottom of the draft who are rebuilding for the long haul.