NFL Draft 2017: Colts select defensive tackle Grover Stewart in fourth round

With their second straight pick to end the fourth round, the Indianapolis Colts selected Albany State defensive tackle Grover Stewart with the 144th overall pick.

Stewart played four seasons at Albany State (a Division II school) and was a four-time all-conference selection, recording 27 sacks and 35 tackles for loss in 39 games played. He can play all over the defensive line, whether it’s nose tackle, defensive tackle, or defensive end. He’s listed at 6-5, 295 pounds, but he’s apparently up to 330 pounds, however, so we’ll see what his playing weight winds up being in Indianapolis.

Remember, Chris Ballard has said before that he’ll always be looking to upgrade the competition in the trenches, and that has shown so far today. With three fourth round picks, Ballard selected both an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman. While Stewart joins a crowded defensive line room with plenty of players competing for playing time and for roster spots, he’s an interesting addition to the mix.

The 144th pick was the selection the Colts got as a compensatory pick for the loss of Coby Fleener last offseason.

Here’s a complete look at the Colts’ picks in the 2017 NFL Draft:

1st round, 15th overall: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

2nd round, 46th overall: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

3rd round, 80th overall: Tarell Basham, EDGE, Ohio

4th round, 121st overall (traded to San Francisco 49ers)

4th round, 137th overall (from New England Patriots): Zach Banner, OT, USC

4th round, 143rd overall (from San Francisco 49ers): Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

4th round, 144th overall (compensatory)

5th round, 158th overall

5th round, 161st overall (from San Francisco 49ers)

The Colts picked up an extra fourth round pick (137th overall) from the New England Patriots earlier this offseason in exchange for tight end Dwayne Allen and their sixth round pick. That’s where the team’s sixth round pick went, and their seventh round pick was traded early in the 2015 season to the Cleveland Browns as a conditional draft choice for Billy Winn. The Colts also received an extra fourth round pick this year (144th overall) as a compensatory pick because of the departure of tight end Coby Fleener to the New Orleans Saints last offseason. They made a trade on day three of the draft to send the 121st overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 143rd and 161st overall picks.

To keep up with all of the picks throughout the league in the 2017 NFL Draft, check out our draft tracker here.