How The Colts Can Perfectly Fill Their Positions of Need by Luke Schultheis

The Indianapolis Colts could withstand for serious improvement along their offensive line. One of our suggested solutions has been the free agent acquisition of San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Guard Mike Iupati.

Earlier, we noted that “Inking Iupati” made a great deal of sense for the Colts, and even went as far as to call him a means to “perfectly fill” one of the team’s key positions of need. However, we are not the only ones that seemingly believe Iupati to be a strong fit with the Colts, as ProFootballFocus‘ own Steve Palazzolo also agrees:

Iupati was perfect fit for 49ers’ power scheme, likely needs to find similar system to thrive. Colts, Chargers, Panthers possible fits — Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) March 2, 2015

Free agent guard Mike Iupati will be interesting case. One of best run blockers in lg, but never posted positive pass block grade in career — Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) March 2, 2015

At age 27, Iupati would provide the Colts with a long-term answer at the guard position. Whether he’d stay at left guard and have Jack Mewhort slide over or start at right guard for the Colts, either way the offensive line drastically improves. Since being a 1st round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Idaho, Iupati has been a 3x Pro Bowler and 1x All-Pro. The 6th-year pro has consistently been one of the best offensive guards in the game.

While he’s a bit suspect in pass blocking, Iupati is one of the most dominant run blockers in the game. Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson said previously in his NFL Combine press conference that the team has to get better in their ground game:

“I mean I think you have to have a running game in this league, especially in December and January,” Grigson said. “I mean you have to have a running game in December and January, and we have to work hard at achieving that and having the right players involved that can execute this system.”

Well, signing Iupati would go a long way toward achieving that goal, especially if the Colts can get both him and the man who often ran behind him in the San Francisco 49ers Frank Gore in a reasonable package deal.

Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs the ball as guard Mike Iupati (77) blocks against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports