With new Colts’ General Manager Chris Ballard’s first season over, now seems to be a good time to reflect. Ballard’s first offseason looked like a success for the most part heading into the season. The draft, especially, seemed like a home run hit. After a disappointing 4-12 season, where do these rookies fall now? Let’s take a look back at the 2017 NFL draft, and how the Colts did with defensive players. I’ll include my grade at the time of the draft.
The Colts focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball, selecting six defensive players.
Round One, Pick 15: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Initial Draft Grade: A
Current Grade: A
Coming out of Ohio State, Malik Hooker drew comparisons to Ed Reed due to his great athleticism and ball hawking skills. Because of this, many touted Hooker as one of the best prospects in the NFL draft, and was projected to go as high as top five. By some miracle, Hooker fell all the way to 15, right into the Colts’ hands. Colts’ fans, and the organization themselves, were rightfully elated by this pick.
After not starting the first game because of an injury, Hooker got his chance to shine against the Cardnials, and he shone. Hooker covered well, stopped the run well, and recorded his first interception of a hopefully long and successful career. Over the next two games, Hooker picked off two more passes. After week 5, Hooker ranked joint first in the NFL in interceptions. The Colts looked as if they had found a future star. Unfortunately, after a torn ACL against the Jaguars, Hooker’s rookie season ended. The future is bright for this Colts’ secondary, and Hooker looks to be the ring leader for many years to come.
Round Two, Pick 46: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Initial Draft Grade: B+
Current Grade: B-
Quincy Wilson had a very interesting 2017 season. Another potential first round selection, Wilson fell to the Colts in the middle of the second round. Wilson has all of the tools to be a shut down corner in the NFL: 6’1, 211, great agility and acceleration. During the first two weeks of the season, Wilson did not have the best showing, but neither did the rest of the team. He showed a lot of good for a rookie and his potential was clear. In a few weeks, Wilson seemed like he would be a very decent player. If you paid any attention to the Colts this season, you know that this was not the case.
For some reason, Chuck Pagano decided not to play Wilson games 3-11. Wether it was minor injuries or practice issues, there was always one excuse. Depriving this promising rookie of valuable experience is a crime on the part of Pagano. When Pagano finally inserted Wilson into the lineup in Jacksonville, he played pretty well. Over the last four weeks, Wilson showed the potential that many saw early in the year. In that span, Wilson covered well, and on the final play of the season, picked off his first pass of the year, almost to spite Pagano for his benching. In that final game against Houston, the Texans targeted Wilson five times, and only allowed two catches for 15 yards. Under better coaching, Wilson could become a solid corner in this league.
-
Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jets
by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am
Round Three, Pick 80: Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
Initial Draft Grade: B-
Current Grade: C
Chris Ballard selected Tarell Basham in the third round to help fix the Colts’ abysmal pass rush. Many saw Basham as a bit of a reach; the Colts passed on edge rushers such as Carl Lawson, Derek Rivers, and Deatrich Wise. From the moment Basham stepped onto the practice field during the summer, his performance was underwhelming. Throughout the season, Basham struggled to find consistent playing time, which led to him only recording two sacks. He struggled to beat good NFL tackles, and had great difficulty defending the run. Basham is still a very raw player who needs more development before he can be fully realized. At this point, it seems if Basham is destined to be a career backup, but has plenty of time to turn things around.
Round Four, Pick 144: Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State
Initial Draft Grade: C-
Current Grade: D+
Everyone who thought the Basham pick was a reach shut their mouthes when the Colts took Grover Stewart, defensive tackle out of Albany State. Although Ballard most likely could have got Stewart a round or two later, he is still a 6’5, 295 behemoth in the middle who has potential to be a solid run stuffer in the NFL. Stewart projected to be a solid depth piece, and a good rotational defensive lineman. Stewart did not play much this season. He finished with 12 total tackles and one run stop. He has decent upside and will be a solid rotational player for the Colts next season.
Round Five, Pick 158: Nate Hairston, CB, Temple
Initial Draft Grade: C
Current Grade: B
Nate Hairston may be the Colts’ best value pick of the 2017 NFL draft. Hairston has good speed, but his coverage skills and technique seemed to need quite a bit of work. He began the season buried on the depth chart, and ascended all the way up the ranks to a consistent starting role. Hairston built a role for himself in the nickel. He covered well, and was one of the best pass rushing corners in the entire league, recording two sacks, one for a safety. He struggled playing outside corner, but that is not what he is built to do. When all of the Colts’ corners are healthy and Hairston plays in the slot, he will shine. Hairston has the speed and physicality to be a very good nickel in the NFL.
Round Five, Pick 161: Anthony Walker Jr., ILB, Northwestern
Initial Draft Grade: A-
Current Grade: C+
Anthony Walker was a player that I was particularly high on following the draft. With his physical tools and leadership ability, I predicted that he would be the leader of this Colts’ defense pretty early. Although Walker did not have as great a season as I expected, he was decent. Walker didn’t play much during the season, and when he did, he was inconsistent at best. During the last two games, Walker got his chance to start, and played very well. Over the final two games, Walker had 15 tackles, and defended the run well. With the Colts’ linebackers as a while being so terrible this season, Walker should get a chance to prove himself in the future.
Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, and the AFC South Division Editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_ and @FPC_Colts.
-
Ep 149: Remembering Bud Grant With Former Vikings RB Chuck Foremanby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 148: Hall of Fame Voter John McClain Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Hall of Fame voter John McClain of Gallery Sports returns to the show to […]
-
Inside Bryce Young's Pro Day & his meetings with the Carolina Panthersby LandryFootball.com on March 24, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Chris takes you inside Bryce Young's Pro Day at Ohio State as well as his […]
-
Inside CJ Stroud's Pro Day & his meeting with the Panthersby LandryFootball.com on March 24, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Chris takes you inside CJ Stroud's Pro Day at Ohio State as well as his […]
-
Ep 278: The Trade Marchby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 8:02 pm
-
Ep 277: Free Agency March Madnessby Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 2:39 am
-
Ep 276: Franchise Tag 2023by Full Press Coverage on March 8, 2023 at 8:28 pm
-
Ep 275: Dynasty Dispersal Draftby Full Press Coverage on March 4, 2023 at 2:06 pm
-
Episode 3.5: "Free Agent Frenzy" w/ Pete Hailey from NBC Sports Washington and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 8:40 pm
George Carmi hosts NBC Sports Washington's Pete Hailey and Doug McCray on […]
-
Season 3.4: "Winds of Change" with Rick Snider of 106.7 The Fan and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2023 at 10:33 pm
George Carmi hosts Rick Snider from 106.7 The Fan to discuss the latest […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 5:05 pm
The Isles got help yesterday in a massive way with the Pens and Panthers […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Recap the loss to Nashville and look at the playoff picture. Learn more […]
-
3/24 - Bruins Approaching Record; OBJ To the New York Jets?by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:07 am
Ian and John discuss the Boston Bruins dominance and discuss whether or […]
-
3/22 - World Baseball Classic Was A Classic; Connor McDavid on Hockey Tournamentby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the success of the World Baseball Classic and debate […]
-
3/21 - Aaron Rodgers Latest, World Baseball Classic Talkby Full Press Coverage on March 21, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ian and John talk more Aaron Rodgers and the excitement around the World […]
-
3/20 - Aaron Rodgers, Brandin Cooks, Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the latest with Aaron Rodgers, the Brandin Cooks […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jetsby Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am
-
3/24 - Bruins Approaching Record; OBJ To the New York Jets?by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:07 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Lakersby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Ep. 230 - NBA Playoff Race Could Come Down To Injuriesby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 9:42 pm
-
Suns at Kingsby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Bulls at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Sixers at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Bucks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Ep. 161: Emporia State University Head Football Coach Garin Higginsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 6:43 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Revolution Reviewby Boot 2 The Face on March 10, 2023 at 12:42 am
AEW Revolution Review, Power Rankings, B2TF of the Week, and […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 215by Boot 2 The Face on March 2, 2023 at 12:50 am
We are back talking Kenny Omega's importance to AEW. Also, we break down […]