The Indianapolis Colts followed up their 1st round pick of safety Malik Hooker with another defensive back – cornerback Quincy Wilson. The Colts have immediately upgraded their secondary in dramatic fashion.
The Indianapolis Colts had several options with their first 2 picks in the draft. With needs to fill along the inside defensive line and at pass rusher, inside linebacker, safety and corner, general manager Chris Ballard chose to improve the secondary unit as a whole by selecting safety Malik Hooker and cornerback Quincy Wilson. I applaud the Colts and Ballard for improving the entire secondary unit as opposed to selecting one defensive back and (say) a pass rusher. The Colts have gone from a sub-par secondary to one that, by season’s end, could be a top unit.
We know that Vontae Davis can be one of the best corners in the NFL when healthy. Quincy Wilson will likely get the starting assignment opposite Vontae Davis. The secondary will be bolstered by a safety group that includes Clayton Geathers, T.J. Green, Darius Butler and Malik Hooker. This looks much stronger than where the Colts ended the 2016 season.
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A guy like Matthias Farley can now go from possible starting safety to a 5th option at safety. Rashaan Melvin can go from possible starting corner to a 3rd option or possibly a 4th option if the Colts decide to move Butler back to nickel corner.
As for Quincy Wilson, the Colts get a tall, physical corner who plays best in man coverage. If you watch tape on him, he jams the receiver very well at the line. He has 3 years of experience at Florida, so he shouldn’t be raw. In 37 games, he had 81 tackles and 3 interceptions.
NFL.com’s analysis on Wilson includes the following in regard to his strengths:
"Prototypical size for cornerback or safety spot. Big and physical. Very competitive. Willing to accept challenge of taking on a team’s top wideout. Uses play strength to overcome some athletic and speed deficiencies. Can maul receivers off line of scrimmage and eliminate them from a route if they don’t get clean release against his press. Plus anticipation in coverage. Makes quick reads on in-breaking routes and attacks in front of the route. Finished career with six interceptions. Responsive to play-action keys. Good feel for when to step downhill as tackler. Plays off perimeter blocks quickly. Willing to stick his nose in as a tackler. Willing to be the hammer and not just the nail when it comes to challenging running backs."
Wilson will get a chance to learn under the tutelage of Vontae Davis for 1 year before Davis hits free agency. He will have to improve in some areas of he wants to be the lead corner in 2 years. NFL.com’s analysis of Wilson’s weaknesses include the following:
"Hips and feet can be exceedingly sticky in his transitions. Will fight his feet a little in his backpedal and shuffle. Footwork average in space. When feet fail him, he opts to use his hands. Could see spike in illegal contact and holding penalties if asked to play corner early in career. Reliant upon strength and grit in man coverage over speed and athleticism. Plays too tall which hinders click-and-close burst. Allows too much separation against complex routes. Below average reactive athleticism for the position and will struggle to carry long speed."
The Indianapolis Colts still have 5 picks left in the 2017 draft including 3 fourth round picks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Colts continue their defensive-heavy draft. At this point, I wouldn’t be shocked if 4 of the 5 remaining picks are used on defensive players.
Next: Colts Select Cornerback Quincy Wilson with 46th Overall Pick
One never knows how a player will pan out until they get on the field. Still, Indianapolis Colts fans should feel much more comfortable with their first 2 picks this year under Chris Ballard versus the picks made by Ryan Grigson during his tenure as Colts general manager.