Former Ohio State NFL first-rounders that are on the hot seat and need big years according to USA Today

USA TODAY ranked former first-round NFL draft picks that are on the hot seat and need big years. Two of them are former Ohio State players.

No. 10 – DB Malik Hooker, Indianapolis Colts

Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

What Nate Davis says

“Worrisome development when a draft-and-develop team turns down your fifth-year option. But it’s understandable in Hooker’s case given he’s missed 14 games in three seasons and has only picked off seven passes despite being touted as a turnover-producing center fielder coming out of Ohio State. The arrival of third-rounder Julian Blackmon only intensifies internal competition on the back line.”

What we say

Hooker has been a product of bad luck with injuries. You know the guy has the skill set to be a Pro-Bowl type talent and is about as athletic as they no matter the position. Unfortunately for him, once you get tagged as being a guy that is easily dinged up, it’s hard to shake. He has to have a year in which he’s completely healthy and makes a ton of plays on the back-end of the defense or he might be shopping for another deal elsewhere.