The Indianapolis Colts are looking for a franchise left tackle. Two-time Pro Bowler Eric Fisher of the Kansas City Chiefs is attempting to latch on with a team after being a surprise release earlier in the offseason.
It’s a match made in football heaven, right? Well, it could potentially come to fruition. According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Fisher is set to visit the Colts later this week.
Following the retirement of left tackle Anthony Castonzo after 10 highly productive seasons, the Colts have been in the market for a blindside protector for the recently acquired Carson Wentz.
Interestingly enough, Indianapolis passed up on offensive tackle with the 21st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead, general manager Chris Ballard opted to upgrade out on the edge on defense with Kwity Paye. A top tackle prospect, Christian Darrisaw landed with the Minnesota Vikings a couple picks later. In fact, Indy did not take a tackle in the draft.
If the Colts were to add Eric Fisher to the mix, he’d be an immediate upgrade over the recently signed Sam Tevi. The veteran graded out as the seventh-worst starting offensive tackle in terms of pass protection around the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus metrics.
If Indianapolis wants to see Wentz turn it around after a disastrous season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, it will need to get better pass protection upfront. The Colts flirted with moving future Hall of Fame guard Quenton Nelson to tackle but have since pushed back against that idea.
The one issue when it comes to a potential Fisher signing is the fact that he suffered a ton Achilles during the playoffs this past January. He could potentially miss the start of the 2021 season.
When on the field, Fisher has been absolutely tremendous since the Chiefs made him the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018 and this past season. The former Central Michigan star has started 113 of the 117 games in which he’s appeared in eight NFL seasons.
If the Colts were to sign Fisher, Tevi would likely move to a swing tackle position with Braden Smith continuing to man right tackle. There’s also a chance Smith moves inside to right guard as a replacement for Mark Glowinski with Tevi starting opposite Fisher. Either way, it would be a good problem for a Super Bowl contending Colts team to have.
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