Report: Colts a team to watch for D.J. Fluker

Earlier today, the Los Angeles Chargers released offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, a versatile lineman who can play both tackle and guard.

Because of that versatility he likely will have a pretty decent market, and ESPN’s Josina Anderson said today that the Colts are one of eight teams to watch when it comes to Fluker.

Fluker was the eleventh overall pick by the Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Alabama, and he started 59 games in four seasons. He’s played both guard and right tackle with the Chargers. He was due over $8.8 million this year on his fifth year option as a former first round pick, however, so it made sense for LA to cut him. As Bolts from the Blue put it, “That $8.821 million would have made Fluker the 4th highest paid Guard in the NFL, and he does not play like the 4th best guard in the NFL.” They also noted that Fluker is just the second player under the new CBA to have his fifth year option picked up but then be cut before it went into effect.

As a former first round pick from just a few years ago and as a guy who can play multiple offensive line spots, Fluker will find work with another team - though likely for lesser money than he was due from the Chargers. But will that team be the Colts? It sounds like we shouldn’t rule it out.

That versatility likely would appeal to the Colts, as they have seemed to highly value versatile players (at least in the Ryan Grigson era). Especially with Joe Reitz retiring and Jonotthan Harrison not yet re-signed, the Colts could use more competition up front - something that Chris Ballard has obviously emphasized. That could mean giving Fluker a look, in which case he would probably be brought in to compete for a starting spot.