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Colts Malik Hooker is PFF’s Top Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidate

By Luke Schultheis

Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns his second interception during the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns his second interception during the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Pro Football Focus, Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker is their top candidate to become this year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The 6’1″, 206 pound, ballhawk safety is coming off a standout sophomore season with the Ohio State Buckeyes, as he recorded 7 interceptions (tied for second nationally)–which should definitely help him to achieve potential stardom at the next level:

"December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports1. Malik Hooker, S, Indianapolis ColtsInterceptions earn you notoriety in the secondary and though they may not always correlate to elite play, they get you noticed come awards time. Hooker has the best ball skills of any safety to come along in years, and has the ability to make an Earl Thomas-style of impact in the Indianapolis secondary. Hooker has a highlight-reel tape of some of the most astonishing interceptions in college football last season and his biggest problem (missed tackles – 13 of them in 2016) is something that tends to get swept under the carpet a little when evaluating play."

Having drawn comparisons to future Hall of Fame Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed for his ball-skills and ability to track the football (even by Colts head coach Chuck Pagano), Hooker should provide the Colts with a dynamic playmaker at safety for years to come.

While he must shore up his tackling, the Colts can work on his fundamentals, but no coaching staff can teach his innate ball skills and athleticism–the latter which was recently highlighted when new general manager Chris Ballard called Hooker ‘the best athlete in this year’s draft’.

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Despite Mike Adams making a few Pro Bowls in recent seasons (and giving the defense solid production), the Colts really haven’t had a rangy, dynamic safety at the position since both Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea were in their primes donning the horseshoe.

Hooker has the potential bring an ‘Ed Reed’ type play-making presence to the back of the Colts secondary at safety, and it’s easy to see why he’s a top candidate to win defensive rookie of the year given that he’s projected to be an every week starter from the get-go.

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