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Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine named safety Malik Hooker a cut candidate for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys.
On paper, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t in the best place with the 2026 NFL salary cap. To help fix the problem, Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine argued the Cowboys should part ways with one of their starting safeties — Malik Hooker.
On Monday, Valentine named Hooker the top cut candidate from the Cowboys.
“In terms of cap space, moving on from Kenny Clark would yield the Cowboys more room to make some deals. But Clark could still be an important interior presence on the defensive line along with Quinnen Williams. Instead, the choice here is safety Malik Hooker. The former first-round pick was a part of a Cowboys secondary that needs a revamp in 2026,” wrote Valentine.
“Hooker earned a 60.8 PFF grade but would save nearly $7 million in cap space. He’ll be 30 years old heading into the new season but could land with a new team in free agency.”
Hooker has spent the past five seasons with Dallas. He has started at least 12 games each of the past three campaigns.
During 2025, he started all 12 of his games. Hooker posted 52 combined tackles, including two tackles for loss and one pass defense.
Releasing Hooker will give the Cowboys about $6.926 million in additional cap room.
Cowboys Salary Cap Space Entering 2026 NFL Free Agency
As of March 2, Dallas possesses the least amount of cap space in the NFL. After placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, the Cowboys moved to more than $58 million over the cap.
But it’s not quite as bad as it sounds.
Dallascowboys.com’s Patrik Walker explained Friday the Cowboys can free up $131 million in cap room with contract restructures for Dak Prescott, Tyler Smith, CeeDee Lamb, Osa Odighizuwa and others.
The Cowboys also have players they could offer contract extensions to, which would lower their 2026 cap hit. The top candidate for that cap saving move is Pickens.
So, the Cowboys don’t necessarily have to cut anyone to create room. Still, Hooker could be on the chopping block.
The Cowboys badly need to revamp their defense, particularly their secondary, after 2025. The Dallas defense was ranked in the bottom three in points allowed, yards yielded and passing yards allowed.
Hooker is a valuable veteran but will turn 30 before the season starts. He made minimal impactful plays last season. That was evident by only two tackles for loss and just one pass defense. Hooker didn’t have any interceptions or forced fumbles either.
Hooker’s Resume With the Cowboys
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Hooker at No. 15 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Colts, though, didn’t exercise the safety’s fifth-year option or sign him to a second contract.
In Dallas, the veteran safety carved out a nice role for himself. But as more of a role player or reliable starter and not first-round star.
In five seasons with the Cowboys, Hooker has posted 289 combined tackles in 76 games. He started 53 of those contests.
Hooker has also registered nine tackles for loss, 14 pass defenses and seven interceptions with the Cowboys.
He had 124 combined tackles, 11 pass defenses and seven picks in 36 games with the Colts.
The Cowboys could begin reforming their secondary with Hooker’s release and save cap space in the process.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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