Bolstered with Big Time Rookies, This Could Be Colts Most Talented Secondary in Nearly a Decade
The Indianapolis Colts have revamped their secondary for 2017, as new general manager Chris Ballard has gutted what was once both an aging and historically woeful defense last season.
While there’s still considerable work to be done for Ballard to become a new ‘happy home owner’, there’s no question that at least the Colts defensive secondary has been infused with an abundance of youthful talent and athleticism.
Specifically, the Colts selected prized Ohio State safety Malik Hooker with the 15th overall pick (a prospect who was highly regarded as a Top 10 talent entering the draft), while nabbing rock solid Florida cornerback Quincy Wilson with their mid-2nd round pick (a prospect who at one point was considered a first rounder).
Hooker has been praised for his ball skills and athleticism–having drawn comparisons to former Baltimore Ravens great Ed Reed, whereas Wilson was acclaimed as one of the most well-rounded cornerbacks in this year’s draft class (allowing the lowest opposing quarterback rating in the SEC).
Ballard wasn’t done though, as he selected Temple cornerback Nate Hairston in the 5th round of this year’s draft to help bolster the team’s positional depth.
Ballard’s offseason overhaul hasn’t come without a price; however, as the team opted to let go of well-respected veteran safety Mike Adams in order to get younger at the position.
The team also unceremoniously kicked last year’s oft-injured starting cornerback Patrick Robinson to the curb, as the team released the veteran earlier this offseason.
That being said, the team took care of one veteran, as cornerback/safety Darius Butler was re-signed following a solid 2016 campaign with the team.
In the aftermath, the Colts could have arguably their most talented secondary since 2007, when the defense had Bob Sanders (15 games) and Antoine Bethea (13 games) at safety with Marlin Jackson (16 games) and Kelvin Hayden (16 games) at cornerback.
That former Super Bowl winning secondary for the Colts had invested highly in defensive backs with Sanders (’04 second round pick), Jackson (’05 first round pick), and Hayden (’05 second round pick)–with Bethea simply being a great find as a 2006 6th round pick by former Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian.
It’s not hard to see some similar parallels with this year’s Colts secondary, as the team currently has Hooker (’17 first round pick), Wilson (’17 second round pick), and Davis (’09 first round pick of the Miami Dolphins)–as Geathers was the only non-early round pick (’05 fourth round pick).
From purely a talent perspective, when currently looking at the Colts at safety from 1-2, as well as cornerback respectively, Indianapolis could have the most talent in the secondary that the franchise has had in nearly a decade–specifically since the team was coming off its Super Bowl run in 2006.
It could be the foundation for future Super Bowl success for a franchise with eventual championship aspirations.
Namely, the secondary is projected to pair this year’s star rookie safety Hooker with an emerging 3rd-year safety Clayton Geathers (who can really hit), as well as another promising rookie, Quincy Wilson, with longtime veteran Pro Bowler Vontae Davis (who at times has proven to be a lockdown cornerback with the Colts).
The team’s defensive back depth also appears to be in order, as the Colts could deploy either Butler or last year’s ‘breakout’ backup Rashaan Melvin as their slot cornerback–having also rookie cornerback Nate Hairston competing in the mix.
It’s worth noting that Butler’s versatility also enables the Colts to deploy him as a nickel safety situationally.
Still, it doesn’t mean that a Colts secondary projected to start two rookies, Hooker and Wilson, won’t make it’s fair share of mistakes or ‘growing pains’.
That being said, the Colts collectively have always had a ‘problem child’ in their secondary since Chuck Pagano‘s arrival in 2012 whether it be safety LaRon Landry, cornerback Greg Toler, or simply a horrible defense all together (2017).
Next: Colts Malik Hooker is PFF’s Top Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidate
This upcoming season, there doesn’t appear to be a clear ‘weak link’ in the Colts secondary, as all four projected starting defensive backs are talented and should make plays.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s still some areas of defensive deficiency on this Colts roster–namely at pass rush and inside linebacker, but this year’s talented secondary could be an area of optimism for the Colts both in 2017 and going forward for the franchise.
Quite frankly, it’s been a little overdue.