The Pittsburgh Steelers named Zach Banner their starting right tackle, but the road wasn’t always easy for the former fourth-round pick who was originally selected by the Indianapolis Colts.
A part of Chris Ballard’s first draft class as general manager in 2017, Banner was taken with one of three fourth-round picks that year. The USC product struggled in training camp his first season and was waived when the team had to make roster cuts just before the start of the regular season.
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After a stint with the Cleveland Browns (2017) and Carolina Panthers (2018), Banner signed with the Steelers just before the start of the 2018 season. He eventually worked his way up the depth chart and is now the starting right tackle.
Getting cut despite being a fourth-round pick was a wake-up call for Banner, and he told reporters Thursday that he owes Ballard for the “harsh reality.”
Zach Banner gives a "shout out" to Colts GM Chris Ballard for cutting him. "It was a harsh reality" that he cut him and he legitimately said he owes him for being where he is now — the starting RT for the Steelers.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) September 10, 2020
The Colts cut Banner before his rookie season even began and a year later found Braden Smith to be their right tackle.
The 2017 class wasn’t a strong one for Ballard, and that includes Banner. But he’s found his footing and will be a big part of one of the best offensive lines in the league in Pittsburgh.