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2017 Indianapolis Colts: Which Rookies Will Shine?

For the first time of the NFL’s offseason, team’s are reporting as a whole 90-man roster this week for organized team activities (OTA) at team complexes. The Indianapolis Colts, who report to their first full-team OTA’s on Monday, have completed the rookie mini-camp portion of their offseason. After early action, what rookies are most likely to stand out for the team in the upcoming 2017 NFL season?

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

Most Likely to Shine: Malik Hooker

At the #15 pick, the Indianapolis Colts got a steal in safety Malik Hooker. Called the “best center fielder” in the draft by many, Hooker slid, largely due in part to his offseason hip and hernia surgeries. Although he was forced to sit out of the rookie mini-camps, Hooker’s speed and athleticism make him a surefire plug-and-play starter for this newly renovated Indianapolis Colts defense.

A team desperate to create turnovers, Hooker’s ballhawk-nature in the center of the field provides the Colts with a home-run hitter they haven’t seen sign safeties Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea graced the secondary. If Hooker can stay healthy, he might just be the defensive stud the Colts have been looking for.

Future Prospect: Marlon Mack

With starting running back Frank Gore and the newly re-signed Robert Turbin on the roster, the Colts were able to stock pile the defensive players and focus on finding a value project at the running back position in the draft. Marlon Mack, the fourth-round running back out of the University of South Florida, very well could be the back of the future for the Colts.

In just his junior season, Mack finished surpassed Andre Hall to become USF’s all-time leading rusher, finishing his career with 3,609 yards on 586 carries and 32 touchdowns in just three years.

A speedy back with an explosive burst, Mack has an opportunity to sit under one of the all-time greats in Gore, while refining his running game and adjusting to the NFL speed.

Dark Horse: Anthony Walker Jr.

In the 2017 NFL offseason, it was clear new Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard’s focus was on revitalizing the defense. Part of this revitalization meant the team parting ways with aging middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, the team’s defensive quarterback of sorts for the past three seasons.

Despite signing multiple outside linebackers, Ballard chose to focus on the defensive secondary and line in the NFL Draft, making Anthony Walker Jr. the only linebacker the team took in the draft. After a slow collegiate start, Walker led the Northwestern Wildcats in tackles (122) and tackles for loss (20.5) in his first full season starting in 2015, receiving All-American recognition from the AP and Sports Illustrated, and All Big 10 honors.

With the Colts being thin at inside linebacker, and the team’s 3-4 defensive scheme, Walker has an opportunity to shine right away for the team and step into an important role, becoming a leader on the team’s new and much-younger defense.

Tickets for the 2017 Indianapolis Colts VIP Tailgates are officially available! With a new general manager and a re-shaped roster, the Colts look to start anew after their disappointing 2016 campaign. Get your 2017 Colts VIP Tailgate tickets today!

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.

Tickets for the 2017 Indianapolis Colts VIP Tailgates are officially available! With a new general manager and a re-shaped roster, the Colts look to start anew after their disappointing 2016 campaign. Get your 2017 Colts VIP Tailgate tickets today!

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.

Tickets for the 2017 Indianapolis Colts VIP Tailgates are officially available! With a new general manager and a re-shaped roster, the Colts look to start anew after their disappointing 2016 campaign. Get your 2017 Colts VIP Tailgate tickets today!