The Panthers need a free safety to pair with Eric Rei

d. Is Amani Hooker the right fit?" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomFiled under:Carolina Panthers Film RoomPanthers 2019 NFL DraftFilm room scouting report on Iowa safety Amani HookerNew Youth Kawann Short Jersey ,37commentsThe Panthers need a free safety to pair with Eric Reid. Is Amani Hooker the right fit?EDTShareTweetShareShareFilm room scouting report on Iowa safety Amani HookerJeffrey Becker-USA TODAY SportsAmani Hooker played his high school football in Minneapolis, Minn. at Park Center High. Hooker was a three-star recruit and chose the Iowa Hawkeyes over Minnesota, Northern Iowa, and Wisconsin according to Rivals. During his three years in Iowa City, Hooker finished with six interceptions, nine pass breakups Stitched Kawann Short Jersey , 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and one sack.Hooker is an elite athlete. He posted a 1.0 sigma, which landed him in the 84.5th percentile according to SPARQ.Film reviewHooker is not a scheme dependent safety. He played a variety of roles for Iowa’s defense in 2018. He matched up in man coverage against backs, receivers, and tight ends. He rotated into the box to monitor the short and intermediate areas. He also played deep safety as he patrolled the third or half of the field. Hooker is much more comfortable as a deep safety in a two safety shell (Cover 2/4). He is a smart player who reads route tendencies and also displays the range to cover ground.Hooker starts as a deep half safety. He gets into his backpedal, but he picks up on the corner route when the receiver sticks his foot on the ground. Hooker stays light on his feet Youth Trai Turner Jersey , but then explodes to get in front of the receiver and pick off the quarterback.Hooker rotated as a nickel corner for the Hawkeyes too. He matches in man coverage versus highly rated wide receiver Hakeem Butler. Butler is a physical receiver, but Hooker also shows his physical nature by getting hands on him to disrupt the release. He doesn’t flip or change directions fluidly when in man coverage, but if a defense wants him to man up in the red zone Hooker is the guy.Hooker matches with the receiver in the slot after the motion. As mentioned above, he struggles to flip his hips and change direction. Iowa asked him to play inside leverage based on his positioning, but the receiver still exposes him with a sharp cut. Fortunately, it wasn’t taken advantage of Stitched Trai Turner Jersey , but this is an area where Hooker has to improve. Hooker is an excellent reader of the game. He has high level instincts when he’s lined up in the box, deep, or at nickel. He reads the intentions of the quarterback before locating the route and cleanly tackling the opponent. Hooker has a good understanding of zone coverage, which allows him to make these quick decisions.Hooker did not impress as a run defender in the four games I watched. He is an aggressive player, but he consistently rook poor angles as he pursued the running back. His metrics as a tackler were not terrible, but he needs to play with more poise in run defense. He only had a 6.5% broken tackle percentage Youth Ryan Kalil Jersey , which means many of the players he got hands on didn’t escape. His tackling form is fine, but he has to improve his pursuit angles.The good news is that pass defense is more important than run defense in today’s NFL, but coaches are still not going to enjoy the poor angles. Fit with CarolinaThe Panthers have a reliable box and run safety in Eric Reid. Hooker would add an element for their defense that they haven’t had in a while. His range, instincts, and zone awareness make him a perfect piece for Carolina’s defense. Rivera employs a diverse set of coverages, but Hooker proved that he can match up with receivers in man coverage. His best work comes in zone as a deep half safety. He could rotate into the box to disguise coverages too. The Panthers should strongly consider Hooker if he’s on the board in the second round.Panthers 2018 season opener countdown: 59 days to go It’s Luke Kuechly day on CSR Panthers fans! No. 59 - Luke Kuechly Stitched Ryan Kalil Jersey , LBExperience: 7 yearsHeight: 6’3”Age: 27Weight: 238 lbsCollege: Boston CollegeWhat can I possibly say about Luke at this point that all of the awards and accolades he has received hasn’t? How about this. Heal that shoulder on up Luke! We want to see nothing but a healthy Luke Kuechly in the center of our defense in 2018. Why is that might an NFL fan that’s been stranded on an island for the past eight seasons might ask. Well, hell let’s just let his highlight reel from 2012 to 2016 do the talking. It’s seven-plus minutes of pure Luke dominance. At the 3:40 mark is one of the most memorable plays from his rookie season, when he blasts through the line on a stretch play to the left against the Ravens to blow up the running back and cause a fumble.He’s just an awesome player to watch. Madden NFL knows for sure. Kuechly is one of seven players given the top 99 rating for 2018 and the only middle linebacker to be given the rating.If you find yourself craving more well here you go.