Each NFL team’s biggest breakout candidate
By Conor Dorney
Indianapolis Colts – Malik Hooker
It’s sort of cheating the system to pick a player who has already broken out in a way, but such is the case of Colts safety Malik Hooker.
Hooker seemed well on his way to being in the running for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year before going down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 of 2017. In the seven games prior, Hooker tallied 22 tackles and three interceptions, immediately establishing himself as Indy’s biggest playmaking threat on an otherwise-poor defense.
The team is being understandably cautious with Hooker’s recovery, but they know as well as anybody that his return is vital to the success of their defense this season. Even if he isn’t ready to go by Week 1, having a healthy Hooker for the second half of the season could be crucial if the Colts manage to find themselves in the playoff hunt.
The Colts have steadily rebuilt their pass rush over the past few drafts, which should free up a playmaking safety like Hooker to make his mark on the league once healthy. While the medical status of quarterback Andrew Luck gets most of the headlines, the progress of Hooker may be just as important to the Colts organization in the long-term picture.