Malik Hooker: Colts are 'capable of winning now'

The Indianapolis Colts endured a rough 2017 season. They finished 4-12 and were without star quarterback Andrew Luck due to his surgically repaired shoulder.

With a second-year general manager, first-year head coach, and young roster, many expect the Colts to begin a rebuild in 2018, even with a potentially healthy Luck under center. Sophomore safety Malik Hooker, however, believes the team can complete a quick turnaround.

"I'm definitely the guy that I feel like we're capable of winning now," Hooker said, via Colts.com's Andrew Walker. "We've got a lot of great players, a lot of good players coming back (from injury) as well. So I feel like this year, we've got a young, fast and good, physical team, so I feel like we're definitely capable of winning now."

Indianapolis selected Hooker No. 15 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft after an incredible redshirt sophomore campaign at Ohio State. The ball-hawking safety accumulated three interceptions in six starts before a torn ACL ended his season in Week 7.

When Hooker returns to the field, he'll join second-year players Quincy Wilson and Nate Hairston as key members of the Colts' young pass defense. With a year under their belt, the defensive back believes the group will be a key factor in the team's ascension in 2018.

"I definitely feel like we're a group that can take that next (step)," Hooker said. "A lot of us were dealing with injuries last year week in and week out, and I feel like this is just a fresh start for us. The offseason is time for you to get your body ready for the season, and I feel like we’re doing a great job of that right now. So I definitely feel like we can take the next step in being a great secondary this year."