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Malik Hooker Projected to Buccaneers

Could one of the top safety prospects fall to Tampa Bay at No. 19?

A look at Mike Mayock's top 100 NFL prospects.

On the eve of the 2017 Draft, NFL Media's Mike Mayock released his first, and only, mock draft of the offseason. Mayock had broken down the top 100 prospects and top prospects at each position, but Wednesday was the first time he made selections for every team picking in the first round.

For the Buccaneers at No. 19, Mayock had an interesting pick: Ohio State safety Malik Hooker. In most mock drafts available, Hooker is considered to be a top-ten pick. Mayock had Hooker rated as the No. 13 prospect in this year's draft class and the second-best safety, behind LSU's Jamal Adams.

Hooker would add depth to a safety room that already has J.J. Wilcox, Chris Conte and Keith Tandy, all three of whom saw action as starters in 2016.

"Hooker is the best centerfielder in the draft," Mayock wrote. "They need a dynamic guy on the back end. Hooker is that guy."

Hooker was one of the nation's most productive safeties in 2017. He recorded seven interceptions, which were the third-most of any player in the country. He returned three of those interceptions for touchdowns, which led all FBS players.

Mayock believes Adams will go No. 2 overall to the 49ers while cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (3rd), Marlon Humphrey (13th) and Adoree' Jackson (18th) will all be off the board by the time the Buccaneers make their pick. For Mayock's complete mock draft, click **HERE**.

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