NFL Draft 2017: Colts select linebacker Anthony Walker in fifth round

With their final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft (at least for now), the Indianapolis Colts have selected Northwestern linebacker Anthony Walker with the 161st overall pick.

Walker is a 6-1, 238 pound inside linebacker who seems to be a high character guy with a strong work ethic. As a junior in 2016 he played in 12 games and recorded 98 tackles, ten tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and six passes defensed. In 2015 he had a breakout season, being named a first-team All-Big Ten selection and recording 122 tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss.

The Colts add an inside linebacker to the mix to add to the competition that will be going on there, with Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison returning, Sean Spence and Jon Bostic signed as free agents, and now Anthony Walker added throughout the draft. The two inside linebacker spots seem wide open, so Walker will have an opportunity to compete.

The pick initially belonged to the San Francisco 49ers but was traded to the Colts as Indianapolis moved down in the draft during the fourth round.

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): Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State

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.