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Indianapolis Colts: NFL Draft Reaction

With new general manager Chris Ballard looking to add his own personal touches to the roster, the Indianapolis Colts are undergoing a massive face lift of sorts. Phase two of this re-tooling of the roster came in the 2017 NFL Draft. What are experts around the league saying about the Colts’ selections?

To recap, a look at the Indianapolis Colts draft class:

Round 1, Pick 15: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

Round 2, Pick 46: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

Round 3, Pick 80: Tarell Basham, EDGE, Ohio

Round 4, Pick 137: Zach Banner, G, USC

Round 4, Pick 143: Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

Round 4, Pick 144: Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State

Round 5, Pick 158: Nate Hairston, CB, Temple

Round 5, Pick 161: Anthony Walker Jr., LB, Northwestern

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated Draft Grade: A

“Incredible value for the Colts at each of their first three picks: Safety Malik Hooker (No. 15 overall) and cornerback Quincy Wilson (46) should be instant starters in the secondary, while edge rusher Tarell Basham (80) at least can make an impact on passing downs. For a team whose defense picked off just eight passes last season and lost OLBs Erik Walden (free agency) and Robert Mathis (retirement), this was a critical restocking. RB Marlon Mack (Round 4) is a home-run threat to slot in behind Frank Gore, while fifth-round LB Anthony Walker has three-down potential. The only shoddy pick was OT Zach Banner, who faces a long road to being a serviceable NFL blocker.” To read the entire story, click here.

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Draft Grade: B

“New general manager Chris Ballard inherited a porous defense, and he went that direction with his first three picks. Malik Hooker could have gone as high as No. 7, but the one-year wonder dropped to 15. He’s the best center fielder in his class, and some have compared him to Ed Reed, but Hooker needs to improve as a tackler. He’s a ballhawk who is recovering from having surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and repair sports hernias. Ballard did a nice job addressing the defense, but there’s still a long ways to go. I also wouldn’t have minded a tight end to replace the departed Dwayne Allen.” To read Kiper’s NFL Draft grades, click here.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com Draft Grade: A-

“The skinny: In the first round, the Colts got the rangiest safety prospect since Earl Thomas. They got very good value at No. 15 at a major position of need. It’s a big win for the Colts’ defense. Indianapolis had to be thrilled to get Quincy Wilson to help out Hooker in the secondary. Tarell Basham is a pass rusher who can covert power to speed on the edge; getting him in the third was a good deal. Indianapolis made very good back-to-back picks in the late fourth with running back Marlon Mack (slasher with more power than you’d think) and defensive tackle Grover Stewart (nose tackle with good footwork). Zach Banner was a stretch in the fourth round, though he could be a D.J. Fluker or Orlando Franklin-type guard. In the fifth, Anthony Walker provides strength in the middle of their defense. This was a well-executed draft.” To read more of Chad Reuter’s NFL Draft grades, click here.

Dieter Kurtenbach, Fox Sports Draft Grade: A

“A tremendous draft. This is the kind of work that can totally change the complexion of teams — it’s funny how you can do that when you already have your quarterback. Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson will be All-Pro caliber players for that defense. Tarell Basham is an intriguing third-round project. Great picks in RB Marlon Mack, CB Nate Hairston, and LB Anthony Walker as well. Would have liked to have seen another offensive lineman taken to balance out the reach on Zach Banner, but that’s the only knock.” To read more of Dieter Kurtenbach’s NFL Draft grades, click here.

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Indianapolis Colts Draft: #15, DB Malik Hooker

In the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft on Thursday night, the emphasis turned to offense early, with seven of the top 10 picks being offensive players. A good sign for the defense-needy Indianapolis Colts, a top-10 talent fell to the #15 slot. Here are what experts from around the web are saying about the newest Colts defensive back, Malik Hooker out of Ohio State.

Mike Wells, ESPN NFL Reporter

“Hooker, who became a full-time starter at Ohio State last season, has something the Colts needed last season: ball instincts. He returned three of his seven interceptions for touchdowns last season at Ohio State. The Colts didn’t return any interceptions for a touchdown in 2016. Ballard mentioned Hooker being “unique” a number of times during his media conference Thursday evening. Hooker is another piece in Ballard’s attempt to revamp what has routinely been one of the NFL’s worse defenses under Pagano. ” For the full article, click here.

Josh Wilson, Stampede Blue

“A lot of it comes down to the fact that Hooker gives the Colts a lot of flexibility, more so than they already had at safety. The Colts now have a safety group that features Malik Hooker, Clayton Geathers, Darius Butler, and T.J. Green, meaning the Colts have three young guys with upside and a veteran making the move to safety. This pick gives the Colts the flexibility to utilize some of those guys in other areas that could help mitigate some of the concerns about other areas of need.” For the full article, click here.

Jeanna Thomas, SB Nation

“Malik Hooker is an elite free safety in a class that’s stacked with them. The Indianapolis Colts got an All-American with great range and closing speed to upgrade their secondary when they took Hooker with the No. 15 overall pick. Hooker is a phenomenal athlete and has all of the talent he needs to excel at the free safety position in the NFL. His fluidity and change-of-direction skills are advanced for a player with such limited starting experience, and will serve him well at the next level. Once he refines his technique and puts it all together, he should become an All-Pro caliber player.” For the full article, click here.

Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star

“But this isn’t normal. The Colts didn’t pick a normal guy. The Colts just selected a player they literally have no idea how good he can be – because he hasn’t played much football. Like, barely any compared to someone else, anyone else, taken in the first round of the draft. So maybe he’s not the best tackler. Maybe he takes imperfect angles. An athlete like this, he’ll get better with more coaching, more experience, more reps. How much better? That’s the thing: Nobody has any idea. But man it’s going to be fun to find out.” For the full article, click here.

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2017 NFL Draft: Top Prospects for the Indianapolis Colts

Just under one month away from the 2017 NFL Draft, teams are nearing the finish line of the acquisition aspect of the NFL’s offseason, looking to begin organized team activities (OTA’s) and set sights on Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. Who are experts predicting the Indianapolis Colts will take with the 15th overall selection in April’s draft?

Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri | Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

“Harris did not have the most impressive 40-yard time (4.82 seconds), but his field work showed a Round 1 talent. He’s an agile, quick player with great bend in his hips and the strong hands teams want from an edge setter. The Missouri defense also asked him to be more of a run-defender this year and it paid off, as he’s become a more well-rounded player.” – Matt Miller

Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri | Conrad Brunner, 1070 The Fan, ESPN Radio Indianapolis

“Although his overall productivity dropped as Missouri struggled through a coaching transition and a down year, Harris showed his elite skills in 2015 and wasn’t exactly terrible last season, despite a couple of changes in scheme. He isn’t just a pass-rusher, flashing the skills to be an every-down contributor.” – Conrad Brunner

Forrest Lamp, Offensive Lineman, Western Kentucky | Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network

“It’s not a sexy pick, but Lamp would team up with last year’s first-round selection (Ryan Kelly) and Jack Mewhort to provide a rock-solid interior offensive line.” – Daniel Jeremiah

Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State | Nate Davis, USA Today Sports

“Frank Gore gave a heroic effort last season at age 33, but it’s time to give QB Andrew Luck a young, dynamic threat for the future. Cook is a fierce competitor and every-down back who would be a boon to Luck by virtue of his running, blocking and capability as an outlet receiver when all else fails.” – Nate Davis

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