Colts Reportedly ‘Getting Serious’ With DeMarco Murray

According to Dave Furst of WRTV-6 in Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Colts are reportedly getting serious with Dallas Cowboys free agent running back DeMarco Murray:

With the Colts also closely linked to former San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, the team is clearly interested in signing a veteran running back to bolster their backfield. While Muray is younger than Gore at 27 years old, he’s also expected to command a much bigger contract.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) celebrates his touchdown run during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The 4-year veteran is coming off a historically great NFL season, in which he was the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,845 rushing yards on 392 carries (4.7 ypc avg) and 13 touchdowns. While unquestionably talented, there’s significant doubt of whether Murray would achieve that same degree of success in Indianapolis however. The Colts don’t have the dominant run blocking line of the Dallas Cowboys and have routinely struggled at creating consistent holes for their running backs in recent seasons.

Still, one way or the other, the Colts will have to upgrade at the starting running back position. Whether the team looks to draft a running back early in this year’s draft or sign a high-profile veteran like Murray or Gore, the Colts have to find a starting caliber running back to improve their ground game.

However, the team should be weary of paying a premium for Murray based on his past production with the Cowboys, as it’s likely he wouldn’t have the same kind of success here. That’s not a shot at Murray, it’s just the reality of the matter, as his holes behind a still somewhat suspect Colts offensive line would be much fewer and farther in between.

Nevertheless, if the Colts can get Murray at a reasonable price, then he’d be a solid addition to their backfield. He’s among the league’s best running backs and would present a significant upgrade over last season’s running back group.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) before the game against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports