No. 2: Defensive backs Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson
The Colts had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. They were in the bottom half of every statistically category. Ranked 30th in yards per game, 28th in passing yards per game, 26th in rushing yards per game and 30th in total points allowed. The defensive unit was just a complete abysmal mess.
The first step in repairing such a beat-up defense is going to be their secondary. In the 2017 NFL Draft they were able to steal Ohio State’s Malik Hooker. Many regarded the safety as a top-10 pick. After tearing his ACL early last season, the Colts will hope that Hooker can be one of the solutions going forward. The safety position has been a void that the organization couldn’t seem to fill since the days of defensive backs Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea.
It’s been a few years since the team has had a true ballhawk out there in centerfield. And Hooker, who drew comparisons to former safety Ed Reed, is a safety that can change an entire defense.
Hooker won’t be the only defensive back this team will rely on in 2018. Quincy Wilson, their second-round draft selection from just a year ago, will need to show he was worth that No. 46 overall selection in 2017. The Florida Gator alum didn’t see the field too much in 2017, and it’s something that hopefully sees change come 2018.
At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, a physical defensive back of his nature is something this secondary is going to need this season.
