Colts GM Chris Ballard offers insight into team’s evaluation of Rock Ya-Sin

Colt’s general manager Chris Ballard filled in for Peter King in this week’s Football Morning in America, and he offered some insight on Indianapolis’ scouting report of second-round pick, Rock Ya-Sin.

Every Monday morning, NBC Sports football writer Peter King publishes his column, Football Morning in America. In this week’s edition, the byline was a bit different. Instead of King penning the article, it was Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard.

In the column — Scouting and The Power of Sundays — Ballard provided a look behind the scenes of the Colts’ draft process and offered fans a glimpse into life as a general manager and scout.

One of the biggest takeaways from the article was his scouting report of Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin who the Colts selected in the second round.

Ballard gave what he described as the key traits for a cornerback to fit in the Colts’ system. Size was a big one. Ball skills were ranked high, too. And background/character matters to Indianapolis.

"“When he transferred to Temple, he was awarded a single-digit jersey within a few weeks and our Northeast Area Scout Mike Derice took notice. (A single digit jersey at Temple signifies a player as one of the toughest on the team.)”"

He goes on to add that single-digit numbers are voted on by teammates, making the achievement even more impressive. The Colts began following Ya-Sin from his transer to Temple all the way to the Senior Bowl.

"“Ed Dodds, our assistant general manager, said we should go “A-Z” on him during the Senior Bowl. Ya-Sin had a standout performance. He was getting better every day, and Derice developed a strong conviction about his belonging on the Colts.”"

Throughout the column, Ballard, defensive coordinator  Matt Eberflus and others among the staff raved about Ya-Sin’s physicality and toughness. Ballard also put emphasis on getting to know players.

"“We made sure to interview Ya-Sin at length because we put a big emphasis on knowing a player’s character and story. The story leads us to the answers that we’re trying to find out about each guy.”"

At the end of the process, Ya-Sin fits into just about every category Ballard looks for in a player, according to his report. He fit so much that he was awarded a blue card, which is given by the Colts when “a player meets our strict criteria in terms of his football character.”

Ballard only gives out 10-12 blue cards a year, one going to Ya-Sin. As a result, he as a guy the Colts simply had to have.