Colts 2020 fifth-round pick Danny Pinter has been impressing at camp.
Last season really put the NFL on notice in terms of it coming to terms with the fact that the Indianapolis Colts have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. It’s almost scary to think that the unit projects to get even more dominant as it continues to develop chemistry.
Well, it just so happens that the Colts OL will be returning all five of its starters — Anthony Castonzo (LT) , Quenton Nelson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Mark Glowinski (RG) and Braden Smith (RT) — for the second straight year. That’s an extreme rarity these days, and Indianapolis, assuming everybody stays healthy, figures to reap the benefits this campaign.
However, while those five studs (some more than others) are receiving all of the headlines, the Colts’ depth up front shouldn’t be understated. Fans would be the first to admit that Indy’s lack of reinforcements behind their starters was the team’s most glaring flaw the last few seasons.
That simply isn’t the case this time year. The latest buzz out of training camp suggests that 2020 fifth-round pick Danny Pinter has been showing out since reporting for the preseason.
Round 5, No. 149 overall: @Colts select Ball State OG Danny Pinter.https://t.co/WZn7Uo004E#NFLDraft
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) April 25, 2020
"“I think you just see Danny get a little bit better each day,” Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni told reporters during a video conference on Wednesday. “I thought he had a great scrimmage the other day; he showed an ability to get to the second level, played multiple positions, showed the ability to get some reaches on a nose (tackle) when he was playing center. He had a great day, and I’m really excited about that.”"
These are strong comments from Sirianni and they come shortly after he reviewed the film from Indy’s scrimmage on Monday. It’s clear he was impressed with Pinter, who’s been moved around a lot during camp.
For most rookies, that would be a tough adjustment, but it just speaks to his experience at Ball State, where he was converted to right tackle after starting out as a tight end. With the Colts, the 24-year-old rookie has moved inside to the guard position and has even taken a healthy number of reps at center.
#Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni is already feeling the impact of new TE Trey Burton, plus he breaks down the development of two rookies in WR Dezmon Patmon & OL Danny Pinter:https://t.co/valo8toZvd
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) August 26, 2020
Pinter was the only lineman Indianapolis drafted this past April, so we can expect him to be one of the first players called upon when one of the starters needs a breather.
It’s honestly not surprising that general manager Chris Ballard seems to have found a gem in the former Cardinal, and if he continues performing like this, the Colts will have added some intimidating depth to their offensive line.