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Report: Colts are ‘One of Teams to Watch’ on Ex-Charger D.J. Fluker

By Luke Schultheis

October 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers offensive guard D.J. Fluker (76) before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers offensive guard D.J. Fluker (76) before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, the Indianapolis Colts are ‘one of the teams to watch’ on free agent offensive lineman D.J. Fluker.

The former 2013 first round pick of the San Diego Chargers was released earlier on Tuesday and is expected to be heavily pursued on the free agent market:

The 6’5″, 339 pound mammoth offensive lineman made all 16 starts for the Chargers this past season and has experience at both tackle and guard.

Per Pro Football Focus (subscription), Fluker endured a disappointing 2016 season; however, as he was their 54th best rated guard with only a +63.7 overall grade:

Nevertheless, the immense physical potential and first round pedigree could be tempting for teams regarding Fluker, as well as his proven starting experience–having started in 59 games during his four seasons with the Chargers.

Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers offensive guard D.J. Fluker (76) works against Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers offensive guard D.J. Fluker (76) works against Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colts could clearly use veteran help along the starting right side of their offensive line, as the team is currently projected to heavily rely on two unpolished 2nd-year pros in Joe Haeg (RG) and Le’Raven Clark (RT) respectively.

While each young player flashed promise late in the season, the Colts may not want to bet the health of their franchise player, Andrew Luck, who they have to do a better job of keeping healthy and upright going forward.

Simply put, the Colts have to shore up their pass protection.

That being said, Fluker is coming off of consecutive underwhelming seasons and has battled some recent nagging injuries. Given his size, he’s also presumably better as a ‘road grader’ than as a ‘dancing bear’ in pass blocking.

Any suitor that signs him to a new lucrative multi-year deal would be rolling the dice on his immense physical ability and that Fluker’s best is still yet to come.

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