Jack Mewhort signs a 1-year deal to stay with the Indianapolis Colts

The former second-round pick out of Ohio State, offensive tackle Jack Mewhort signed a one-year deal, worth $1.5 million plus $1.5 million in incentives to stay with the Indianapolis Colts, according to Mike Garafolo. This was the Buckeye’s first taste of NFL free agency, and, with a litany of injuries on his resume, was a bit of a risk heading into the 2018 season.

Despite the health concerns, there’s little doubt that Mewhort has NFL-level talent, as he was an immediate starter for the Indianapolis Colts after being drafted in 2014. He started in all 30 of the games that he suited up for the first two seasons of his career. But then, injury after injury kept him sidelined more often than not in 2016 and 2017.

“In 45 career starts, Mewhort has allowed 4 sacks. He allowed 44 pressures in 2015 (his only full season), but did not allow a sack that year. His Pro Football Focus grade for pass blocking in 2017 is 78.9, which would rank him in the top 25 guards in the NFL.”

-Andrew Aziz, Stampede Blue

Two knee injuries and a tricep issue forced him to miss playing time throughout 2016, and his final knee injury put him on IR to finish the season and required surgery. Despite working Mewhort back into the lineup slowly, and giving him plenty of rest and rehab during the preseason in 2017, the Buckeye only made it through five games before once again ending up on IR thanks to knee issues.

Mewhort’s injury history is a big risk to take on, but the interior lineman’s upside and potential should keep him on an NFL roster for at least a few more seasons, health permitting.