Tennessee Titans confident using Amani Hooker in multiple spots

The Tennessee Titans got a steal in fourth round pick Amani Hooker out of Iowa, and they’re already working him in with the top defense.

The Tennessee Titans, hosts of the 2019 NFL Draft, had one of the sneakiest all-around draft classes in the league.

I mean that in a good way.

The Titans got great value with their picks from top to bottom, and perhaps no selection showcases what we mean by ‘great value’ than fourth-round pick Amani Hooker, a defensive back out of Iowa.

For whatever reason, Iowa’s studs in the defensive backfield have been hilariously underrated in the NFL Draft process. Some recent picks who have turned out to be really good starters in the NFL were taken way later than they should have been, despite many initially believing these guys had top potential.

In the notoriously bad 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers made Micah Hyde — a hybrid corner/safety/returner — the 159th overall pick (5th round) of the draft.

In 2017, Desmond King — a unanimous All-American selection at cornerback — was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 151st overall pick (5th round). Two years later, he was named first-team All-Pro with the Chargers.

In 2018, Josh Jackson wasn’t taken until the 45th overall pick (2nd round, Packers) despite leading all of college football with eight interceptions the year prior.

It shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise when Hooker, who was sort of a hybrid safety/nickel player at Iowa, was still on the board on day three of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Titans stole the versatile Hooker with the 116th overall pick in the fourth round.

As much as his draft status was no surprise to fans of the Iowa program who know their star defensive backs are notoriously and annoyingly underrated when it comes to the NFL Draft, it’s also not surprising to learn that Hooker has already been working in the Titans’ top defense when they go to three safety sets, and that the Titans are already confident playing him at multiple positions.

Hooker has the ability to play in that big nickel as a matchup player and is really an ideal fit as a strong safety in the modern NFL.

Playing in an iteration of Bill Belichick’s defense is ideal for Hooker considering his college coach — Kirk Ferentz — comes from the Belichick coaching tree and employs many similar philosophies on both sides of the ball.

Hooker’s abilities in man coverage against backs and tight ends and his expertise in zone coverage where his reactive quickness and instincts set him apart as a prospect make him an ideal fit for the Titans’ unit now.

Hooker will slowly acclimate himself to the speed of the NFL game but don’t be surprised if you hear his name more and more as the 2019 season goes along. He’s going to be a stud.