The Indianapolis Colts have signed left tackle Anthony Castonzo to a four-year contract extension worth $42 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Colts had ample cap space into the future because most o their premiere players on still playing off rookie deals, and Castonzo’s extension is simply the latest in a line of contracts that have, and will, be coming from general manager Ryan Grigson.
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Castonzo was the 22nd-overall pick out of Boston College in 2011, charged with protection Peyton Manning’s blindside. However, Manning would never play a down in 2011 due to neck surgeries, leaving the Colts with the first-overall pick in 2012 and the opportunity to draft Andrew Luck. Luck has been extremely prolific for Indianapolis over his first three years, despite a leaky offensive line. The only lineman worth his salt has been Castonzo, one of the more consistent tackles in the game.
In terms of overall contract value, Castonzo will vault to the second-highest paid player on the team behind wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who received a five-year, $65 million extension this offseason. Luck is also entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, giving the Colts a chance to either pay out his $16.155 million option in 2016 or give him a shiny new deal as well.
The average annual salary will put Castonzo at the fourth-highest paid left tackle, tied with Ryan Clady of the Denver Broncos and behind only Trent Williams, Tyron Smith and Joe Thomas. Castonzo slots in just ahead of All-Pro Jason Peters.
In 2014, Castonzo was ranked as the 11th-best left tackle and 12th-best overall by Pro Football Focus. PFF gave him an overall grade of +15.2, but actually has him as a negative in run blocking with a mark of -2.4. Part of that problem could be the lack of quality running backs rolling through town in recent years.