INDIANAPOLIS – On Saturday morning, Chris Ballard said the Colts were still looking to add an offensive lineman.
A few hours later, Ballard did pull the trigger on an offensive lineman by selecting USC offensive tackle Zach Banner with the 137th overall pick.**
Getting To Know Zach Banner-Why Banner?**
Before the final day of the draft got underway on Saturday, Chris Ballard met the media. Ballard said he was interested in drafting an offensive lineman on Saturday to add some competition. The Colts took four offensive linemen in last year's draft but still wanted to add one more in 2017, despite a weaker OL class this year. -Banner's Rare Size
Listed at 6-8 and 361 pounds, Banner is easily the biggest lineman on the Colts roster. Ballard said on a Saturday conference call that he's down to 349 pounds and plans on losing more weight. On the call, Ballard raved about his experience with the Colts during the draft process. Both Chris Ballard and Joe Philbin flew out to Southern California to work out Banner privately. Banner was glowing in his praise of Indianapolis from his stay during the Combine and he actually used to play AAU basketball in Fort Wayne during his high school days on the hardwood.-Where Does Banner Fit?Unlike last year, the Colts do not need their rookie offensive lineman to come in and play from Day One. If Banner needs to fine-tune his frame a bit, the Colts have capable bodies to go ahead and start. Banner is the biological son of Lincoln Kennedy, a former top-10 draft pick and a three-time Pro Bowler. This draft pick was the selection the Colts acquired in the trade of Dwayne Allen. Colts area scout Dave Razzano was impressed by how Banner handled UCLA first-round pick Tak McKinley this past season.
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