Fansided

NFL Free Agency: 5 Best moves so far

By Ryan Phillips

Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi /

Indianapolis Colts sign Frank Gore (three years, $12 million)

I’m usually not a fan of investing any money in running backs over 30 years old, but I have made an exception in this case. No, I don’t think Gore is going to top 1,000 yards in each of the next three seasons, but what he will bring to the Colts on and off the field will be invaluable.

He will turn 32 in May and will likely see more than 200 carries in 2015, but almost certainly won’t top 250. An underrated part of Gore’s game is his prowess as a pass protector. He will definitely save Andrew Luck from taking at least a dozen big hits throughout the course of the 2015 season. His experience and long-term resume in the NFL will be big keys because of what he can teach the Colts’ young roster.

Gore’s deal only includes $7.5 million in guaranteed money and considering Indianapolis is in win-now mode, he is well worth the gamble. If the Colts get one great year out of him and he goes downhill rapidly after that, I think they would completely accept that outcome for the price.

Gore has topped 1,000 yards in eight of the past nine seasons and became the best running back in San Francisco 49ers history in the process. In 2014 he had 255 carries for 1,106 yards and four touchdowns. If he comes close to replicating that in 2015, the Colts should be ecstatic.

I have been very critical of some of the moves Ryan Grigson has made over the years in the draft, via trades and on the free agent market, but I think he scored big by landing Gore. It doesn’t hurt that Gore brought along his buddy Andre Johnson too.

Next: Terrance Knighton

Home/Chicago Bears