The Indianapolis Colts have once again been submissive in free agency, allowing other contenders to upgrade their rosters while they preserve cap space for big-money extensions.
As much as fans would like to see Indy spend like a drunken sailor, locking up in-house stars like linebacker Darius Leonard, guard Quenton Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith for the long term is arguably more vital to their championship window.
Which, we must remind you, won’t be open forever, even if all these standouts return.
Still, however, the Colts have the requisite cap space to make a big move, and if there’s one position they shouldn’t settle on in terms of talent it’s left tackle, which remains a huge question following the retirement of longtime starter Anthony Castonzo.
As far as potential solutions go, Indy has been heavily linked with Eric Fisher, who was released by the Chiefs in a money-saving move at the start of free agency.
While the 30-year-old would be an ideal addition, do the Colts have the stones to cross the finish line?
Chiefs released former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2021
Will the Colts get over the hump and sign Eric Fisher to be their new left tackle?
We like to think that the Colts would have already submitted an offer to Fisher had he not gone down with a torn Achilles in the AFC Championship Game. It remains to be seen if he’ll be ready for the start of next season, so we’d understand if the front office was being more diligent than usual in their approach.
With that being said, however, signing Fisher would likely be a long-term (or multi-year) investment from Indy, meaning that his injury shouldn’t entirely dissuade them from pulling the trigger on the former No. 1 overall pick.
Given that the Colts have emphasized bargain shopping this offseason, Fisher, despite being one of the most talented LTs remaining on the open market, could be one of the biggest steals of free agency. After all, what team is going to splurge on him after he suffered one of the most devastating injuries in the book?
It’s not like durability has been a concern with Fisher throughout his career, as he’s appeared in at least 14 games in every season except 2019, when core muscle surgery limited him to just nine contests. Putting that year aside, we’re talking about a player who’s played 92% of the offensive snaps in seven seasons.
Colts fans, I'm gonna pump the brakes on Eric Fisher for just a second. The guy tore his Achilles in JANUARY. Like him as a player, but health is going to be the deciding factor there, I'd imagine.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 11, 2021
Prior to the Achilles injury, Fisher was playing some of the best football of his career, allowing just three sacks and three penalties across 1,049 snaps, earning a stellar 80.0 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in the process.
With Trent Williams no longer available, the Colts would be playing a dangerous game waiting to address their left tackle vacancy in the draft. Penciled in at No. 21 overall, chances are the top four or five prospects are off the board by the time it’s their turn to pick.
Taking that into consideration, the Colts really have no choice but to ramp up their pursuit of Fisher, who won’t be without a home for much longer. Everyone’s been pegging them as the best fit for the two-time Pro Bowler, so what are they waiting for?
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