INDIANAPOLIS — It’s been 32 years since Indianapolis Colts linebacker Duane Bickett burst onto the scene and won the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Since that time, the Colts have certainly trotted out their fair share of talented defensive rookies, but perhaps none of them have possessed the exciting upside that is seen in Malik Hooker.
Indianapolis was ecstatic when Hooker — a projected Top 10 pick in many experts’ mock drafts — fell all the way to 15th overall in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, which is why one might imagine new general manager Chris Ballard called in his pick in record time.