Report: Colts interested in Kevin Zeitler

Free agency officially starts tomorrow, but the legal tampering period is already underway. Because of that, we’ve heard of a number of different free agents that the Colts might be interested in, and this morning CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora added another one to the list.

According to La Canfora, the Colts “are in on” Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler, along with the Jaguars and the Browns.

This shouldn’t really be a surprise to Colts fans, and we heard CBS’ Charles Robinson report last week that the Colts would make a run at one of the top four guards in free agency. Given the state of the Colts’ offensive line, the real move they need to make is not for more young developmental guys that could become projects but rather for immediate high-quality starters, and that’s what Zeitler would be at right guard. It would give the Colts a very good player at right guard to go with Anthony Castonzo (left tackle), Jack Mewhort (left guard), and Ryan Kelly (center), which would form a really good foundation up front - leaving Joe Haeg and Le’Raven Clark to compete at right tackle.

Zeitler was drafted in the first round of the 2012 Draft by the Bengals and quickly developed into a very good player. In his five years with the team, he has played in 72 games (starting 71) and didn’t miss a game in either of the last two years. He’s just 27 years old, has experience, and is a top-tier guard in the NFL, so he would without a doubt be a huge addition for the Colts. But, of course, he will cost quite a bit to bring in, so the Colts have to weigh the value of bringing in a guy like Zeitler versus the cost. It would surely make them better up front, though, and if Chris Ballard wants to improve the offensive line that should be the way to go. The Colts don’t need more project guys up front; the Colts need legitimate starters. If they want to address the line, going after a guy like Kevin Zeitler is the way to do it.