Prospect for the Pack: Ball State IOL Danny Pinter

Breaking down the draft profile of Ball State OL Danny Pinter, a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 draft.

The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.

Up next is Ball State interior offensive lineman Danny Pinter:

What he can do

– Former tight end who is still adding mass to frame. Stands 6-4, weighs 306.  Needs to add more weight and overall strength

– Highly athletic. Added a bunch of weight but still moves really well. Tested like one of the most athletic offensive linemen in the class. Ran under 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash, with a fast 10-yard split (1.73) and strong agility numbers

– Has offensive tackle experience. Played 24 games at right tackle after transitioning from tight end. Packers like moving college offensive tackles inside

– Doesn’t have long arms but wingspan (almost 78″) should be good enough to play inside

– Lacks the play strength to hold up at any position right now. Will need time to adjust and develop, especially if he’s moving inside

– Athleticism and blocking ability in space should translate well to playing guard in the zone run scheme at the next level

– Has the feet and toughness to transition inside

– Lacks ideal pass-blocking technique on the edge but gave up only three total sacks and three total hits on about 1,000 pass-blocking snaps over the last two seasons, per PFF

– Earned high overall grade and run-blocking grade at PFF in 2019. Was a dominant player for Ball State

– Big improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 at right tackle. Encouraging for his future development along the offensive line

– Older prospect. Will turn 24 in June

How he fits

Pinter should check many of the boxes the Packers look for in an offensive lineman, especially one transitioning inside. He’s measurably athletic, with collegiate experience at offensive tackle and room to grow physically. His movement ability should also fit the zone scheme. If the Packers want a developmental guard prospect from this class, Pinter might be one of the best in the middle rounds. He’ll need a year or so to get bigger and stronger, but he has attractive traits for the Packers scheme and the potential to develop into a future starter at guard or center. The Packers have a long-term need at both positions.

NFL comp

His ceiling as a prospect might be Joe Thuney. Like Thuney, Pinter was an undersized college tackle who will move inside to guard. The Patriots took him in the third round and developed him into a high-level starter. Pinter might need longer to develop, and there’s no guarantee he’ll take to the transition as seamlessly, but he has similar potential.

Where Packers could get him

In the middle rounds, likely on Day 3. Pinter is a project player facing a position change, but his athletic traits and upside should ensure he’s picked in the first five or six rounds. The Packers could snag him with one of their seven Day 3 picks.

Previous Prospects for the Pack

WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr. 
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter
RB J.K. Dobbins
OT Lucas Niang
RB A.J. Dillon
TE Dalton Keene
DL Jason Strowbridge
TE Adam Trautman
WR Joe Reed
CB Michael Ojemudia
RB D’Andre Swift
DL Leki Fotu
CB Jeff Gladney

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