Colts Listed as Potential Suitors for DeMarco Murray

The Indianapolis Colts will have just over $40 million in cap room to spend this offseason, and they have a number of needs to address.  One such need is running back, and because of the Colts' cap room and need at the position the team has been linked to a number of names.  Whether in the draft, in free agency, or in a trade, there has been a lot of talk about the Colts and pretty much every running back who becomes available.

Most recently, the discussion has been about Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.  Since Dallas placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, it's expected that Murray will test free agency.  According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, there is a "slim chance" that Murray returns to Dallas.  Instead, Rapoport mentioned four teams as potential suitors for the running back: the Colts, Cardinals, Jaguars, and Seahawks (if Marshawn Lynch is not back).  It's not entirely clear whether Rapoport was saying that those teams do indeed have interest or simply that they seem to be a good fit.  But either way, for a guy in the know like Rapoport, it's at least worth noting as free agency approaches.

Playing in all sixteen games in 2014, Murray led the NFL with 1,845 yards rushing, also adding 13 touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry.  He caught 57 passes for 416 yards as well, combining for 449 total touches and 2,261 total yards.  Of course, the big negative for Murray in 2014 was that he lost five fumbles and seemed to have an issue with that.  He won the NFC Offensive Player of the Month twice in 2014 and won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year as well.  He's a two-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro in 2014.

While the Colts do need help at running back, there are question marks about whether Murray would be the right one to add.  He had some fumbling issues, but more importantly his success in 2014 was behind the best offensive line in football.  How would he do behind the Colts' line that, at best, is just average?  Plus, he'll likely get paid like one of the top running backs in football, and while he has deserved that, it's quite a bit of money to commit for the Colts.  They do have money to spend, but is it best spent on Murray considering the other needs they have?

What are your thoughts about DeMarco Murray - should the Colts go after him?