Toledo Rockets defensive back Maxen Hook is a productive, experienced prospect who is being overlooked in the 2025 NFL Draft class. While scheme-specific for specific NFL teams, Hook can add a different dimension.
Hook’s scouting report explores the Rockets’ safety’s role in the NFL and looks at his draft projection.
Maxen Hook’s Scouting Report
- Size: 6’0″, 203 pounds
- Key Stat: Played over 1,500 snaps in the box
- Projected Role: Starting safety in a zone scheme
Strengths
- Excels when playing near the line of scrimmage, where his physicality and instincts allow him to be a disruptor.
- Demonstrates good awareness in zone coverage and can read the quarterback’s eyes and react accordingly.
- Good size and length.
- Fluid athlete with efficient movement skills.
- Solid instincts and natural football IQ.
- Physicality.
- He is an exceptional tackler who rarely misses opportunities, and his tackling angles are precise.
- Sideline-to-sideline range.
- Consistently around the ball to pick off tipped balls.
- Extremely experienced. Over 1,500 snaps in the box and more than 600 as a deep safety
Areas to Improve
- Lacks the twitch to play man coverage and operate from the slot and has an elongated change of direction.
- He lacks the deal long speed to recover when playing deep, restricting his ability to play single-high safety.
- Has some hip tightness when tracking the ball
- Can struggle to shed blocks
Maxen Hook’s NFL Draft Outlook
Hook is a safety prospect who excels as a box defender. Although his potential is somewhat limited depending on the defensive scheme, the Toledo defensive back has the capability to become a starter at the next level.
Hook is an exceptional tackler. He rarely misses a tackle and is able to read and react to plays quickly with a great angle of pursuit. His physicality, aggressive drive, and anticipation means he can contribute early for the right team.
The Rockets’ defenders’ size and length help him in both zone coverage and run support, while his sideline-to-sideline range ensures he’s a constant presence around the football. With over 1,500 snaps in the box and more than 600 as a deep safety, Hook brings a wealth of experience.
However, Hook may face challenges during his transition to the NFL. He has difficulty with the quickness required for man coverage, particularly against faster receivers in the slot.
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Moreover, his lack of ideal long speed and some tightness in his hips when tracking the ball could limit his effectiveness as a single-high safety, reducing his positional versatility at the next level.
Bottom Line: While he may not appeal to every team, those who predominantly employ zone coverage and utilize their safeties in the box will find that the Toledo prospect offers significant upside, strong tackling skills, and adequate instincts to be a starting caliber disruptive presence.
Draft Projection: Round 4
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