In answering a question about why the Colts didn't use a first or second round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on a left tackle, Chris Ballard offered this answer:
"You just can't force it," Ballard said. "We've got time. We've still got four more draft picks here in the (third) day and then we've got until September."
The Colts didn't use any of their Day 3 picks on a true left tackle (versatile lineman Will Fries was picked in the seventh round). But as it turned out, Ballard didn't need until September to add a left tackle. He just needed about a week and a half after the NFL Draft.
The Colts signed two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Eric Fisher on Wednesday, adding the longtime Kansas City Chiefs stalwart and former No. 1 overall pick to one of the NFL's best offensive lines. The 30-year-old Fisher started 113 regular season games and 11 playoff games — including the Chiefs' Super Bowl LV win over the San Francisco 49ers — over his eight years in Kansas City.
Fisher didn't miss a snap in the postseason from 2014 through the 2021 AFC Championship, in which he suffered a torn Achilles in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs' win over the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs released Fisher in March just before the start of free agency.
But the 6-foot-7, 315 pound Fisher is coming off a season in which he received the highest Pro Football Focus grade (80.0) of his career.
Fisher is the third unrestricted free agent tackle signed by the Colts in 2021, joining Sam Tevi and Julie'n Davenport.
Because the Colts signed Fisher after 4 p.m. on May 3, adding him will not count toward the formula that determines compensatory draft picks in 2022. The Colts could potentially gain a compensatory draft pick or two for losing defensive lineman Denico Autry, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and linebacker Anthony Walker in free agency.
Get your first look at former Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl tackle Eric Fisher as he signs with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) during a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Aventura, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) blocks against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 54, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher looks on from the sidelines as he prepares for the second half against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Chiefs won 31-20. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) blocks during the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers, 31-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) walks onto the field for an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers in overtime, 23-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) on the line of scrimmage during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Sep. 28, 2020, in Baltimore. The Chiefs beat the Ravens 34-20. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Anthony Sherman (42) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) during the National Anthem before the start of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Tackle Eric Fisher (72) walking in the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 in Kansas City.(Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)(Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Tackle Eric Fisher (72) prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 in Kansas City. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) jogs off the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct.. 25, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Tackle Eric Fisher (72) prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 in Orchard Park, N.Y.. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) lines up against the New York Jets during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Fisher (72) blocks against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 33-31. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Tackle Eric Fisher (72) during the national anthem prior to an NFL Football game against the Tampa Bay, Fla Buccaneers, Sunday November 30, 2020 in Tampa Bay, Fla. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs Via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won 22-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) kneels in the end zone prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won 22-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Fisher (72) lines up during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Falcons 17-14. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) blocks during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won 22-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won 22-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) blocks during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won 22-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) battles with Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) during an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs beat the Browns 22-17. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) moves on the field during the NFL championship playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Bills 38-24. (Alika Jenner via AP)
FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher is shown after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. Whether it was Kansas City getting rid of banged-up and expensive starting offensive tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, or the Raiders cutting ties with Lamarcus Joyner and Tyrell Williams, veterans around the league have been sent to the chopping block. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)
