Colts Select Ohio State Safety Malik Hooker with the 15th Overall Pick

The Indianapolis Colts selected Ohio State safety Malik Hooker with the 15th overall pick, as new general manager Chris Ballard made his inaugural selection for the franchise.

Widely projected to be a Top 10 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, the 6’1″, 206 pound safety is coming off a standout sophomore season for the Buckeyes in which he recorded 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed and 7 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns)–earning 1st-Team All-American and Big Ten honors respectively.

While there’s no questioning his elite ball-hawking and athleticism, Hooker still has some improvement to do against the run–particularly regarding his tackling.

Here’s his NFL.com Draft Profile:

"December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsDRAFT PROJECTIONRound 1SOURCES TELL US“Hook(er) is still so raw and you see him making all of those plays. He’s a player who will come in and look bad his first year and then be an all-pro by his third year. I think that’s his arc. No short-cut for experience.” — Personnel director for AFC teamNFL COMPARISONReggie NelsonBOTTOM LINEHe’s the ultimate lurker. His instincts are always bringing him to the football and when he gets there he has the ball skills to take it away. His lack of game experience and issues with tackle consistency will likely show themselves early in his career, but his ability to flip the field is worthy of an aggressive projection. He has the talent to be a high-impact starter for years in the NFL."

Here’s what others are saying about the selection:

Of course, the Colts could use a ‘ballhawk’ at safety, as the defense has really lacked dynamic players at the position during recent seasons.

The Colts let veteran starter Mike Adams go in free agency, and last year’s 2nd round pick T.J. Green struggled in his rookie season–remaining a developmental project at safety.

While the Colts have emerging young safety Clayton Geathers returning from a season-ending injury, he’s best suited as an in-the-box safety, whereas Hooker can complement him in coverage.

It’s worth noting that the Colts still have veteran safety Darius Butler as well for depth and in nickel packages.

Simply put, the Colts have lacked a playmaker in their secondary at safety since Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea once donned infamously the Horseshoe in their football primes.

This Colts defense needs playmakers, and Hooker’s 7 interceptions were tied for the 2nd most nationally, as he’s drawn ‘Ed Reed’ Comparisons (a safety head coach Chuck Pagano knows all too well from his defensive days in Baltimore).

There’s no question that Hooker remains raw at the position–having been a former basketball standout; however, he shows unique ball-skills and a game-changing ability to make big plays.

Something that has been sorely lacking for the Colts in recent seasons at safety.

Ballard just didn’t play it safe, as he swung for the fences on a special talent.