Grading the Colts’ selection of G Danny Pinter

Grading the pick of OL Danny Pinter.

Again, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard drafts an offensive player in the 2020 NFL draft. In the fifth round at pick 149 overall the Indianapolis Colts took offensive guard Danny Pinter out of local Ball State University.

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At John Adam’s High School in South Bend, Pinter was a two-time All-State selection as a tight end and edge defender. 2015 was a redshirt year, and in his 2016-2017 season, he actually played tight end for the Cardinals before suffering an injury against Central Michigan.

Ball State moved him to right tackle for his last two seasons and in 2019 Pinter was awarded first-team All-MAC pick and the team’s Most Outstanding Player. Pinter was also voted on the Academic All-Mid-American Conference team from 2016-2019.

From Lance Zierlein of NFL.com: “His understanding of angles improved rapidly in-season, allowing his athleticism and agility to do their things as a move blocker. He sustains with grip strength and balance, but needs to be on the move and working away from stack-and-shed defenders. His short arms and substandard core strength got him bullied into the pocket by average MAC rushers and there is no guarantee that additional strength and technique work will fix it against pro rushers. He faces an uphill battle, but has developmental potential that could interest zone-scheme teams at either guard or center.”

Pinter has the size, 6’4″ 306 to play both tackle and guard. With a pick in the fifth like this, Pinter should come right in and compete for the backup offensive lineman job and maybe eventually take over at LT when Anthony Castonzo retires.

Grade: B-