The Indianapolis Colts could now have a trade partner for Malik Hooker.
On Monday, Cleveland Browns fans were hit with terrible news. Stud rookie safety Grant Delpit, who the team used a second-round pick on this past April, went down in practice with a non-contact injury. A day later, it was revealed he’d be forced to undergo surgery on a torn Achilles and will miss the entire 2020 season.
But hope isn’t lost for the Browns. The Indianapolis Colts reportedly explored trading Malik Hooker earlier in the offseason, but were unable to find a suitable partner. Now, with the Browns in need of a starting safety and Hooking having attended Ohio State University, this could be the perfect match.
Additionally, the Colts expect rookie Julian Blackmon to return from injury in the next couple of weeks, so Indy could be able to make do if they were to deal Hooker.
#Browns notebook: Odell Beckham Jr. says Grant Delpit will "come back bigger and better" from season-ending ruptured Achilles https://t.co/8Ees4S9cTf
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) August 25, 2020
The Colts already declined Hooker’s fifth-year option, so they won’t be able to get as much in return as they would’ve previously, but this is a guy who forces turnovers (seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 34 career games). He’s had some injury issues, but there’s no doubting his talent. He’d probably fetch a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
Cleveland could use another ball hawk in the secondary, which is exactly why they drafted Delpit, who had eight interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 40 games at LSU.
Now, the path is clear for the Colts to move Hooker and avoid any contract drama with the former first-round pick. As for the Browns, they can get their hands on a former Buckeye and build a stout secondary for years to come if they opt to keep him beyond 2020.
Colts made it pretty clear to Malik Hooker this spring — if he wants that extension, he's gonna have to go earn it. Early read from camp: He's as motivated as ever 👇🏼https://t.co/kxfyBVQtRG
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 21, 2020
Hooker’s had a great attitude ever since the tumultuous offseason that featured trade rumors and contract controversy. He’s continued to say it’s all a “motivational call” and that he’d love to remain in Indy. Though after seeing that and losing a Rolan Milligan to an opt-out, perhaps Chris Ballard is reconsidering his initial attempts to move the 24-year-old.
But if he’s not in the Colts’ long-term plans, they can send him to a promising young Browns team, and Cleveland would get a hardworking, levelheaded player to help fill out a talented defense.
Seems like a win-win.
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