5 free-agent safeties the Minnesota Vikings could sign in 2021
By Chris Schad
Malik Hooker
If the Vikings don’t want to pay up for Harris, they’ll have to take some risks on the open market. One comes in the form of Malik Hooker, who is a former first-round pick, but has seen his career derailed by several injuries.
What Minnesota would hope for is that Hooker bounces back to his 2018 form. The Ohio State product came off a torn ACL in his rookie year, but rebounded nicely to rank 16th among qualifying safeties per PFF. Hooker also showed great coverage chops, collecting two interceptions and limiting quarterbacks to a 60.2 passer rating when targeted.
Hooker’s play since that season hasn’t been the same. In 2019, he ranked 33rd among qualifying safeties and lasted just two games before tearing his Achilles last season.
Entering his age-25 season, it’s clear that Hooker has some skills that would benefit from working with a coach like Zimmer. An added bonus would be the cost it would take to acquire him, which PFF projected could be a one-year, $2 million deal with no guarantees.
While Harrison Smith currently plays more of the same role for Minnesota that Hooker has with the Colts, the veteran’s flexibility could allow him to switch roles and let Hooker play more in the box. The gamble wouldn’t be guaranteed to work out, but he’s the type of low-risk, high-reward option the Vikings should be targeting.